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Together Frodo and Sam went inside the castle, a vast and beautiful structure that was tainted with gloomy air.
The hobbits could hear shouts and it seemed as if Aragorn and Legolas were trying to overcome each other. They searched and searched, at last standing outside a chamber with huge double doors, and they could hear a swordfight taking place inside. They banged and tried to break down the doors, hoping that it would open though they themselves did not know what they would do once it did.
Inside the chamber, the two Kings were immersed in a battle of their own, Aragorn with his Anduril while Legolas with a sword he rarely uses as he did not manage to hold on to his bow and arrows. This could well be luck on Aragorn's side as Legolas was renowned as a flawless archer.
However, the former Ranger seemed reluctant to fight against his friend, as he knew that Sauron's power was working on Legolas and so he tried to reason with him.
'Look, Legolas, this is not you! It is the ring, which possessed you to act this way! Just take the ring off and see with your own eyes and think with your own thought before you start accusing anyone else!' Aragorn shouted.
His sword clanged against Legolas's, who upon hearing Aragorn, let out a short laugh.
'I was almost fooled by your sincerity, Aragorn, when I know that you are actually envious of my success in conquering nearly half of Middle-earth! A King can never be satisfied, and you are just like me! Though I do not pretend to be sincere!' He cried out.
'I am not envious of you, Legolas! I am a King but if that is the way to capture these lands and their people, I'd rather not have them!'
Suddenly, there was a loud bang as the double doors opened with great force. In the doorway stood the unmistakable figure of Gandalf the White, holding his staff on the right hand and looking furious. Behind him were the two hobbits, scrambling to enter room. Legolas made the mistake of pausing in his fight when he looked at the wizard.
'Stop this evil!' roared Gandalf as he raised his staff and pointed it towards Legolas. In the blink of an eye, Legolas was thrown across the room and crashed against a statue of his father, King Thranduil. The statue toppled and fell on the floor, smashing into pieces.
Gandalf lowered his staff and the hobbits stood still. Aragorn slid Anduril back into its sheath and walked slowly towards Legolas, who lay motionless on the floor. He crouched beside the elf and pulled the ring from his finger. He looked at the evil ring as it lay on his palm. It appeared harmless without its master, but felt heavier than it looked.
'The ring which has caused us so much trouble.' He said softly, unable to take his eyes of it.
Gandalf looked at him gravely, 'Aragorn, the ring, give it to me before the power befalls you'.
Aragorn stood up and started to walk to where the wizard was waiting. He didn't realize that Legolas had stirred and was reaching for his sword.
Frodo shouted, 'Look out!' but it was too late.
The elf held the sword while still lying on the floor and swiped it at Aragorn, slashing him across the stomach. Blood started to drip from his armour and he dropped the ring from his hand. He struggled to cover his wound as dizziness overcame him and the sight of Gandalf pointing his staff at Legolas was the last thing he saw before his sight blackened.