Disclaimer: Once again…none of this is mine. I can only wish it was. My favorite author, Garth Nix, owns all rights to these characters.

Author's Note: I was finally prodded by a certain friend of mine to finish typing chapter six. So I'll continue writing this before writer's block catches up to me. Maybe this chapter might be longer? I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I edit my chapters a lot- at least, when I'm not lazy either. Thank you to all who reviewed, and for all who haven't, PLEASE REVIEW! *begs*

This chapter is more of an insight on Tal and Milla's thoughts. And since my previous chapters have been rather short, I will attempt to make this .

Saya: I'm glad that you appreciate reading these stories! .; Your review practically screams to write more. And so I shall!

Word of a Sayre: Cliffhangers make people continue to read. So I'm keeping them. I'm trying to keep Crow and Malen in character, but I can't stand such…somber moods. I need humor.

Jarn: I attempted to bring some more characters into the story, using the shadows, and some action like you requested. At the end of the series, Garth Nix said that the Crones awoke Bennem from his dreaming. Just wanted to clear things up.

Chapter 7- The Anticipated Guest

I always detested anything that was not normal. At least, nothing normal to my standards. However, five circlings ago, my normal life was turned upside down by the arrival of a certain Chosen. Through a quest situated to me by the Crone of the Far-Raiders, I was forced to encounter all things I detested: Chosen, shadows, and forbidden magic. I only submitted with the hope that I would be a Shield Maiden.

It was a risky decision, but Icecarls relish with the idea of danger. I agreed, despite my hatred for the boy. Yet throughout the quest, that same boy would prove his worth and his talent for completely exasperating me. Odd that we became friends. Clovil says that Tal wants to be more than friends, but that is just Clovil. I hope.

All those choices, defiance to the Crones I followed, and compassion to my people left me with a price- my life for my people. But Icecarls do not fear death. I would give up my life for those that I cherish.

So here I was, imprisoned by the repulsive shadows I had failed to destroy. Tal and I sedated by a certain shadow, but I had resisted to the very end to fight sleep away. The shadows assumed that I was slumbering and foolishly discussed their plans. If only I had the Crones' power of communication through a single mind- I would have been able to warn the Crones that danger lurked beneath the Castle. Instead, I was left with the knowledge that I could not escape, nor move.

I looked sadly at Tal's unconscious form beside me. After all that we had fought for, our unfinished work would come back to haunt us.

"I am so sorry Tal, " I whispered faintly. " I have failed once more."

.:Tal's POV:.

She was always so difficult to cooperate with.

Even when we were supposed to fight as allies, she ignored my part of the decisions and went with her instinct. Sad part is, her instincts were usually the better choice. But maybe once in a while, would my choices have been better?

Maybe we should have ran for it while we still could. That was my first thought when the shadows first appeared. I guess my childhood ideals have never left me- even now I wish to run from my troubles. Milla was the exact opposite of me when fear came. I could even say I admire her courage, but she does not seem the type to accept compliments. Or the one to express much emotion.

So it nearly shocked me when I heard her apologize and blame herself for our current situation. I was faking sleep to listen to the shadows' plot, but she was awake too…despairing at her 'failure'. I just hope this time she does not plead for death.

I glanced at her, wondering if she looked as miserable as she felt. I was startled to find that her eyes were open once more, and she had the fierce attitude of an Icecarl once more. "Milla?" I asked carefully.

"Shh," she hissed. "The shadows speak more of their plan."

Hmm. Guess I was hearing things when I thought of her apologizing?

.:Milla's POV:.

My mind was divided into two- one merely wanted to die, and the other to live. Last time I wanted to perish with the disaster I had caused, I was not permitted to. You would think that I had learned. Was this how an Icecarl acted. No. Back to character then.

The shadows were currently acting like Wreskas eagerly waiting for a beloved owner. Murmurs of glee had started, the sound like a buzz in my ears. Somehow they could sense who was coming. A rather sinister looking shadow was whispering to its companion nearby, and I listened as best as I could.

"The Master is arriving soon," it said. "I hope he brings food with him, for it is a pity we cannot eat these two, after all the trouble we went through to sustain them."

"Maybe," his cohort said doubtfully.

Then, all of the shadows abruptly tensed, facing the entry. I stared into the darkness within it, straining to see the newcomer. A soft voice issued from the gloom, and I recognized it immediately.

"Are you sure they are here?" 

"Positive."

I knew that voice too. Crow was the anticipated Master, and Sharrakor commanded these shadows. And speaking of those shadows, each of them had suddenly vanished as well…

Malen's slim figure appeared from the surrounding gloom, her face stricken with concern. She searched the vast cavern, and spotted us. Both of us shook our heads frantically

"Crow!" she cried, struggling to free herself from her captives. "Help!"

Crow came running from behind her, but staggered before he could reach her. His eyes transformed into a hue akin to the night, and a deep voice emanated from him.

Sharrakor had returned.

He leered above us, chuckling evilly at the sight- his own enemies, trapped in his will. It was nearly a dream come true, and yet a nightmare for us.

"Release them," commanded Sharrakor. The shadows instantly complied, freeing us from our bonds. I glared at the retreating shadows, and Malen stepped back to join us. Her mouth opened slightly, preparing to speak the Prayer of Asteyr. It closed as soon as it had opened, Sharrakor tsking.

"Not again, Crone. This time, I will win." Malen fought against his power, and failed. I began to unsheathe my blade, readying for Sharrakor to strike. He smiled maliciously. It was almost eerie seeing the grin come from Crow. I would not care if it had come from Sushin, but not Crow. Not one of our allies.

Malen obviously felt the same way. Somehow, the spell binding her mouth shut had vanished, and she said despondently, "Crow…"

"Crow is dead," cackled Sharrakor. "Dead. He lives only through me. Your beloved…Freefolk…will die if you kill me. Go ahead, War-Chief. Attack. Kill your friend."

I glowered, starting towards him to dice him to pieces like he deserved, but Malen and Tal held me back. "Don't Milla," pleaded Malen. "Please." Her miserable gaze halted my thoughts to attack, and I sheathed my swords once more.

Sharrakor laughed gleefully once more, taking humor at our hesitation. "You have a choice to make- kill your friend and me, or surrender. You could accept my subjugation to keep your friend alive, or you can be ruthless and just…kill him." He grinned at Malen's direction. "You won't cry, right, Crone? It is only a boy."

This time, I had to restrain Malen from choking Sharrakor's brains out. "There is always more than one choice, Sharrakor," I said, meeting his eye. "And you know it."

"True," answered the shadow. "You could just let me wreak havoc upon your world and kill everybody without a fuss."

"Like a dictator?" asked Tal sarcastically.

"If you want to put it that way."

Malen continued to stare at Crow's possessed body silently. Then she asked timidly, "May we have a moment to confer together privately? It is rather a big decision…"

Sharrakor considered. He probably thought we would die either way, because he gave us 10 Chosen minutes to speak. "Speak then. But if you do not come up with a decision in time, you will have to give up your titles, Emperor and War-Chief, and I shall rule."

I gave him a keen look. "I think if it is that way, you would remain in our sight but not within hearing."

He nodded, smiling mysteriously. "Alright."

"And," I added, seeing the glint in his eye, "the same for your minions as well."

He glared at me, then spat, "Fine. Boys," he called, "let's leave these three alone for now. They do not trust us."

"And why would we?"

"Milla, calm down, for the Light's sake."

I watched suspiciously as he wandered off to the other side, the shadows around him. When I was sure he would not do anything untrustworthy, I turned to Tal and Malen. Malen looked troubled, and Tal was thoughtful.

"Maybe," Malen began, "we should let him rule."

"NO!" I protested.

"Then what can we do? I see no other choice."

Tal said, "Maybe you could do that Prayer of Asteyr again, then once the shadow's out, we could trap him in a shadow bottle!"

"Only one problem, genius."

"What?"

"We don't have a shadow bottle."

"Oh. Right. Hey, why don't we get any ideas from you, Milla, instead of biting sarcasm?"

"Fine. How about I make a deal for him to possess me, and then you could stab my bloody brains out? Might solve everything."

Tal and Malen blinked at me. "You're kidding, right?" asked Tal. "Because that is just insanity."

"Yes, Milla," agreed Malen. "For while Crow is saved, you will be dead in his place."

"I am not kidding," I answered. "I want to take Crow's place."

"She has officially gone mad," said Tal with awe.

"Milla, when we said we wanted an idea, we meant a sensible one," said Malen.

"It is not sensible?"

"NO!" they replied in unison.

"Fine…but if no other idea comes up, we're using mine."

"How about if Malen tries to talk to him?" suggested Tal. "She's closer to him that we are, and maybe she might get to Crow."

"I could try…but it is not likely that I shall succeed. Sharrakor's will is more powerful than Crow's."

"Is there any other way to kill him when he is in shadow form?"

"No idea. And we still have all these other shadows to reckon with."

"FIVE MINUTES," called Sharrakor across the room.

"SHUT UP," I yelled back. "Anyways…" I turned back to Tal and Malen, who looked very doubtful on my current sanity. My glare shut any question about to come from Tal. "Oh!" I cried, an idea coming to me. "Can we challenge him to a battle?"

"How would we fight? He nearly destroyed us last battle!"

"Malen could contact the Crones for more assistance."

"In the middle of battle? I could not do that."

"Well…try."

"You try communicating with those people when several hundred shadows are about to eat your ligaments off, and we'll see how you do, Emperor," shot Malen.

"Yeesh…I was kidding."

"Will you two stop arguing?"

"Yes, ma'am," replied Tal mockingly.

"THREE MINUTES."

"WILL YOU BLOODY SHUT UP, SHARRAKOR? WE'RE TALKING HERE."

"I CAN SEE THAT."

"THEN BE QUIET."

"Now who needs to stop arguing?"

"Tal. Shut up"

"Yes, boss lady."

"Now you two need to stop arguing," interrupted Malen. "We only have three minutes left, and we need to come up with a decision now."

"I don't have anymore ideas," admitted Tal.

"Neither do I," I said.

Malen took in a deep breath. "I hate to regret it, but we might have to go with Milla's."

"What?" yelped Tal. "We can't!"

"If you brainstorm a sensible idea, then we won't, Emperor."

"But…we can't just…kill her."

"Do you want to die then?"

"NO."

"Then I will," I said. I handed Tal Asteyr's swords, and to Malen, my Talons. "Use these, okay?"

Tal stared at the swords I gave him and sputtered, "Milla-"

"TIME." Sharrakor strode over to us. "Have you come up with a decision?"

Malen closed her eyes, and nodded. "Yes."

"What is it to be?"

"We do not accept your choice." Her words rang faintly in my ears. I would die for my people, just like my ancestor Asteyr had.

I felt Tal's gaze upon me. "It has to be this way, Tal, " I said quietly enough for him to hear.

"But why?"

I shook my head. "Goodbye, Tal."

Author's Note: Da da da dum…to be continued. Sorry for yet another cliffy, Eriko!