Coffee table, a light mahogany Victorian coffee table, scratched and etched from time, the curves legs and the white tea cosy, and on top stood the Shards of Azrael, the Islamic Archangel of Death. A clear crystal glistened in the early dawns sunlight, that shone through the window, a bright vibrant curve that laid across the surface, the remains of a broken jewel.

"The Nazgul have been busy," began Leo with his debriefing, his connections to the Higher Order of the Elders placed him the in the centre of the WhiteLighter communications and surveillance network, a vital source of information when monitoring the enemy, "We have sightings of Dark Riders from as far as the Himalayans and over 40 reports of their appearance, they search pattern is erratic, they have no plan they just going around looking for the remaining Shards in whatever places looks good,"

"This is unlike them," Gandalf interrupted from his star at the morning dawn, "Sauron and his agents had always had a pattern to their movements and plan executed with bladed precision, there is nothing erratic about them,"

a long silence fell in the Lounge, the Alliance of the warriors of the free people of Middle Earth and the Coven of the Charmed sat awkwardly, what more could be said, the enemies attack were perfection and co-ordinated, they were now in possession of 4 of the 6 Shards, with the Alliance with only one, the last remaining Shard somewhere in the world and no way to find it.

"What about demonic activity?" asked Piper from the far corner of the sofa, Leo let out a sigh and thought deep into his mind,

"Nothing, we can only assume the Underworld is waiting for this blow over, then make there more when they know where they stand, either way they're ready to us on,"

"The Nazgul have killed over 300 witches and the WhiteLighter count has dropped to just under 75% and if we do survive Sauron our forces are crippled," even though it was informative it was nevertheless Chris's sombre outlook on life that was a nice familiarity to the day. "And we have no way to find the sixth piece,"

"Found it," walking into the room with a smug look upon her face Paige handed over the printed sheets of paper to Leo, "eBay, some guy thinks it's a paperweight, bought it for $9 should be in the post by Tuesday."

-x-

"We need more thyme," asked Phoebe stirring the wooden spoon, the smell emanating from the saucepan had become quite foul,

"It is mid day, there is very little left," said Legolas, frantic yet there was always this calm composure, his handled a knife well, very little could be heard of the blade touching the chopping board,

"No sweety, thyme, those leaves you're cutting," she pointed to the chopping board, for an Elf of 5000 his herbs completely eluded him, "Thank you," with a smiles she received the chopping board and the leaves added to the mixture.

"Has there not been a day when you wish your duties to be relinquished?"

"That's an odd question," she teased, she was the most observant one of the three,

"When you have been fighting Orc and Urik Hai for as long has I have you pray for quiet days,"

"Oh I pray don't get me wrong…we had a chance,"

"For quiet days?"

"An angel, came to us offering everything we ever wanted as reward for our 4 years of duty. We turned him,"

"But"

"Because we have to, keep on fighting, keep on saving those who can't save themselves, it what we do, and for 5000 it looks like we do it well, both elves and witches," they continued in the kitchen formulating potions and preparing for the coming battles. There was rapport between the two which they failed to notice yet others did, perhaps in the darkness it's comforting be close to someone else.

-x-

"This is crazy," rejected Piper as she paced to the stairs, "I can not believe you are even suggesting this!" he protest against the idea was clear as day would have been.

"What is your concern?" inquired Gandalf as he interrupted the fight between Piper and Chris, standing in the archway to the lounge he rested on his white staff that stood ahead of him, "We have very little time for quarrel,"

"None of your business," the foul mood the WhiteLighter was in had grown more aggressive over the days, more so against the Wizard than anyone else,

"Actually I think it is, what don't you tell him," Piper symbolically stood aside Gandalf as she descended the stair she intended to climb. "Cos I think it's his business too," Chris remained silent, foul and without co-operation, she then turned to the elder she stood beside, "He was planning on negotiating,"

"He would never withdraw his attack on middle earth,"

"Negotiate an alliance," she corrected, Gandalf simply stood in shock, and since mention of an alliance with the Dark Lord had been made it gathered the attention of the other Warriors of the West. The White stood his ground, and starred deep into the eyes of the youth to see what thoughts lied inside, what secrets remain unrevealed, and there it was, the answer to his malice,

"Tell me dear friend," he began with a familiar phrase, "When did angels of wise guidance exchange reason for madness?" and with his final words drew his staff and pinned Chris against the wall where no limb could move and his lips would only just utter words. "Hidden among the ranks is a trick done too often by you, Sorcerer of Orthanc, since when has this child been but a puppet to you Saruman? How long since you hindered us from the solitude of Isengard?"

"Fool you once, shame on me. Fool you twice,"

"I remove you Saruman like poison is from a wound, like pestilence from blood, like a thorn from my side!"

"Your end of days is here!"

A shatter of glass and the crack of wood, a Dark rider on his steed smashed through the front door as if it where only air, wielding a sword which blade was a hot as the fires of Mt Orodruin, they searched the chambers and fought battle with it's residence. A Black king hurling a mammoth mace at the crib of Wyatt, his efforts thwarted by the blue wall that he placed in his way. Bottles of potions where launched into the air, as the exorcism took place. Paige Gimli and Eowyn, stood ground in the Attic, the King and Queen among the walls of the first floor, Phoebe and Legolas in the kitchen. The crying of a child beaconing the help of his mother had Piper sprinting up the stair and with haste that she would appear but a blur. The Witch King was shattered into pieces as he fell from the window. As called upon Leo left with Wyatt as they retreated to safety. The Book of Shadows collect, potions and crystals packed. As Aragorn and Legolas aided the moving of Chris limp lifeless body them fought off the Nazgul long enough to make there escape. Three crystals laid in the basement slowly charging over time, and once clear out of the driveway and flee from their home; fires seeped from the quartz and spread through the Manor and the enemy which stood in there until nothing but charred ash remained