User blog:Commandercody113/~Shadows of the West~ A Legend of Numenor

~Shadows of the West~ A Legend of Numenor is a story written by commandercody113 on the Lord of the Rings Forum. It's last post was on Sept. 8th 2014, but was officially concluded with an announcement post on the 14th. It's the prequel to The Dominion: the Second Rise of Mordor, by the same author. The entire story can be read here

Summary
Shadows of the West follows the story of a Numenorean captain named Talvor, after his defeat at Umbar by the Nazgul Khorumbar. He is 'killed' but is kept alive by the power of a dark spirit trapped within a Nazgul sword. In exchange for keeping him alive, the being demands a mission from Talvor that brings him all the way to the future sight of Cirith Ungol.

S.A. 3261
Talvor stood at the edge of night. He walked quickly across the Walls of the City, Umbar. Umbar had been fortified by Numenor less than 100 years ago. And now, Talvor and his company, were under attack.

Sauron the Deceiver, they called him. He brought thousands of Orcs, and other Fell Beasts to Umbar. A cloud had followed close behind. A cloud that turned the sky to night. Talvor wasn't afraid, he was just surprised. He knew that the King of Numenor, Ar-Pharazon, was planning an attack on Sauron as well. But Sauron had struck first. Talvor's company was small, and were caught unprepared. But once Talvor saw the full extent of Sauron's host, he began to grow afraid.

"Prepare for battle! Stand firm! Do not give it to this filth, for we are mighty! We are Numenoreans! Long Live the West!", He cried out. But in his heart, he felt doubt. The sounds of vicious war cries echoed across the grassy plain between the Host of Mordor, and Umbar. Within minutes, the First wave of attackers had reached the Walls of the City. Talvor's archers fired volleys at the Orcish line, but the sheer number could not be subdued.

Ladders rose above the armies of Mordor, and onto the walls of the besieged city. Talvor's men fought valiantly, but defeat was inevitable.

"Do not give up an inch of stone! We will fight to the last man!", Talvor shouted, as a large Uruk charged at him. Talvor ducked beneath the Uruk's blade, and planted his foot in the Uruk's chest, prodding him off the castle wall. Just in time, Talvor swung around, to parry another orc's attack with his blade. Talvor cut down many orcs on the wall, as his comrades fell around him.

But as it began to seem as though Talvor was invincible, a Black shape climbed over the ladder. Talvor stopped dead, and stared at the being. The being had a long black cloak all about him, and his face was covered.

"I am Khôrumbar, the Marshal of the Black land. You are doomed!"

At that moment, the shroud around him was cast off, revealing a heavily armored being, clad in Numenorean armor. Khôrumbar walked towards Talvor, his dull sword beginning to swing. As he approached, Talvor's blood ran cold. An aura of darkness surrounded the beastly creature. Talvor rose his blade to counter, but Khôrumbar was stronger than he looked. His strong blow knocked Talvor to the ground. Khôrumbar planted a heavy foot on Talvor's sword, shattering it. In moments, Khôrumbar's notched blade was inches from his neck. It was long, and dull, and had a certain mysterious aspect to it. There were strange runes on the Hilt, where an armored hand clutched it.

Khôrumbar was about to thrust the blade, when something captured his attention; Hundreds of black sails appeared over the wall opposite the one they were standing on. upon each one, was a white tree, under a Golden Crown.

"Pharazon.", Talvor said with relief. He saw hundreds of soldiers flowing through the city, to combat the host of Mordor. The armies were evenly matched, but in time, the Numenoreans fought the hardest and the Orcs gave way, and began to fall back. Khôrumbar let out a hideous cry that deafened Talvor.

But, Talvor saw the gap in Khôrumbar's attention. He reached up and grabbed the hilt of Khôrumbar's sword, and ripped in from his hands. Khôrumbar snapped to life, and pulled out a second, smaller blade from the folds of his cloak. But he needn't have done so; As Talvor had grabbed the hilts, He began to feel pain. Dark energy shot up his arms. He fell back to the ground, and was motionless…



Part II
A rush of air, like wind entered Talvor's lungs. The first thing he noticed was the darkness. He rose and looked around him. He was still on the wall where Khôrumbar had left him. But Khôrumbar, or anyone else for that matter, could be seen. Talvor realized it must be night time, but the Battle must have been over. He started to walk away, when he felt something still clutched in his hand. The Hilt of Khôrumbar's deadly blade was resting firmly in his hand. Talvor looked disgusted at the thing, and said aloud, "I was almost killed because of you." he tried to drop it. but as it clattered to the ground, Talvor felt suddenly weak, and fell the ground, almost unable to move. He felt the air leaving him, and he desperately reached out for something. He found the sword. As he touched it, he was instantly rejuvenated, and felt fine.

Somehow, his life had become tied to this object. He rose once more and said, "I will call you Rhucuil, Evil Life, for that is what you are. You have bound yourself to me by some arts, and I cannot separate from you. Curse you! in all the tongues of elves, men, and orc!"

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[5408,5678,0,0]}">As he spoke, he heard a voice in his head, ''I can do more than sustain you. By me, you have been saved from a worse path. I saw something in you I do not usually see in my Victims. And together we can right all wrongs, and destroy your enemies, like my former master''.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[5680,5715,0,0]}">"Why did you save me?", said Talvor

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[5717,5745,0,0]}">Because You can help me.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[5747,5827,0,0]}">"How can I help you? And... What are you? How do you speak to me?", Talvor said.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[5829,6083,0,0]}">''All will be revealed in time. Know this; If you don't help me, you will be rejected from Numenor. No one will take you in, for you have been marked as deceased. They will think it, unnatural. The first step in my plan is to head east, towards Mordor.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[6085,6163,0,0]}">"And what are you?", said Talvor, hating his luck more and more by the second.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[6165,6652,0,0]}">''I am the shadow of a being who once was like you. I sold myself willingly to the Dark lord, not knowing what was going to happen. I became a mere Wraith, neither living nor dead. I stalked the land, doing deeds of Darkness without thought. But then i thought otherwise. Better judgement came upon me, something that had never happened to any other creature Sauron made a wraith. I was confronted, and defeated, having no choice but to be embodied in the sword of one of his servants.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[6654,6772,0,0]}">Talvor thought on this for a few seconds. He thought back to when Rhucuil told him he could do more than sustain him.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[6774,6869,0,0]}">"What else can you do for me?", He asked, "I won't be able to defeat the host of Mordor alone."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[6871,7069,0,0]}">''Ah, yes. I thought you might ask., Rhucuil said, While I cannot use my Wraith Powers alone, I can grant them to whoever bears me. When you are in need, You can do what would seem impossible.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7071,7120,0,0]}">Talvor delighted slightly at the thought of this.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7122,7161,0,0]}">"So are we ready to go?", Talvor asked.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7163,7181,0,0]}">Indeed we are.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7183,7663,0,0]}">Talvor walked across the wall towards one of the ladders on the wall. He threw himself over the battlements, and climbed down. He walked briskly through the battlefield, and gawked at the aftermath. The sun was just climbing above the mountains far to the east, and shed light on the pure destruction wrought the day prior. Talvor saw bodies he recognized, and cursed Sauron. His hatred for Mordor only fueled his mission, and he walked faster towards the Desert that awaited him.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7665,7776,0,0]}">As Talvor was nearing the edge of the battlefield, he came across a small band of Uruks, sitting around a fire.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7778,7920,0,0]}">"The master was taken captive. I'll bet those Mortal scum think they've won. But, Oh no. Sauron will win. Believe me!", said one of the Uruks.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[7922,8080,0,0]}">"You can talk all you want, Hurgud. The master is gone, and we're left leaderless. whether he escapes or not, we have no one to lead our army.", said another.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[8082,8218,0,0]}">"Are you so dense. We have nine commanders, remember? Just because sauron's gone, doesn't mean we don't have the Nine.", said the first.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[8220,8377,0,0]}">A third piped in, "I agree with Hurgud. The Witch King is just as great as the Dark Lord. he's smarter too. He doesn't go and get himself captured by men..."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[8379,8799,0,0]}">The squabbling went on for a few minutes, until Rhucuil Told Talvor, Take them. At that, Talvor lept into the camp. The uruks were shocked, and stood motionless for a few seconds before leaping up to defend their selves. Talvor discovered Rhucuil was a great sword. It sailed through the air, and cut through the orcs like butter. When the Uruks were dealt with, Talvor walked away from the camp, leaving for the desert.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[8801,8979,0,0]}">For a few Days Talvor trekked across the sands of Harad. He had no food or water, but somehow, he neither thirst nor hungered. He felt all of his sustenance coming from Rhucuil.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[8981,8992,0,0]}">

T.A. 3262
<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[9029,9202,0,0]}">Talvor had been trekking the dunes for a few months, the shifting sands made the crossing difficult. He had seen no other living being for his entire journey, until one day.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[9204,9752,0,0]}">It was midday, and the sun was hot. The winds blew the sands, which wrapped around the lone traveler. As he continued, he began to believe he was seeing shapes in the sand. Beings, marching towards him. several times, he slashed through the dunes, mistaking them for orcs. But once, he saw a black shape moving towards him, that he was sure, was real. And then, all of a sudden, the wind stopped, and Talvor stood face to face with a creature shrouded in black. Upon his head, was a dark Turban, and you couldn't see his face, if he had one at all.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[9754,9876,0,0]}">"Begone, creature of Sauron! Your master has been taken, and your armies dispersed! Begone!", Talvor shouted at the being.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[9878,10147,0,0]}">A hideous voice responded, "You are mistaken, son of Numenore. The Lord of the Earth is stronger than the foundations of Arda, and will destroy your kingdom. And when he returns, The Orcs of Mordor, and the men of Harad shall sweep the earth like a tidal wave of fire!"

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[10149,10291,0,0]}">In moments, Talvor became aware of several Haradrim warriors forming circles around him. He wheeled to face them, but they were all about him.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[10293,10331,0,0]}">''Fight! I will aid you, just Fight!''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[10333,10762,0,0]}">Talvor heard Rhucuil speaking to him. He decided to trust Rhucuil, and he lunged at one of the warriors. At the very moment of his lunge, strange white energy darted from his blade. Talvor felt a surge of power within him, and he almost didn't need to think, he just moved perfectly, cutting down the soldiers. White fire, and lightning shot from his hands, and sword, and sent them flying. Soon, none were left but the Dark One.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[10764,10962,0,0]}">"You!", yelled Talvor, "Know this! I am coming for Mordor, and be afraid!", at that, he used the Wraith powers to set the sand itself ablaze. The creature uttered a horrendous shriek, and was gone…

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[10964,10975,0,0]}">

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[10977,11077,0,0]}">Talvor stood on the dunes for a while, unsure of what to do. Finally, he said, "That was amazing..."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[11079,11140,0,0]}">Rhucuil said, ''Hurry now! We are almost across the desert!''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[11142,11291,0,0]}">They trekked on for an hour, until Talvor finally asked, "How did you do that? how does a sword give me the ability to control flame, and lightning?"

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[11293,11364,0,0]}">Rhucuil did not answer right away, but soon enough, he spoke to Talvor,

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[11366,11878,0,0]}">''I was once a wraith under the service of the dark one. The Necromancy of Sauron allowed me powers that can only be possessed by Wraiths. When sauron trapped my spirit into this dreadful steel prison, I still had the wraith powers I had had before. When I was given to Khorumbar, he was able to posses my powers, which strengthened him all the more. Like Khorumbar, I can channel my powers through you. Unlike Khorumbar, You are much weaker, allowing me to use you, and essentially wield you as my own weapon.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[11880,11948,0,0]}">Talvor said, "Oh, that makes me feel much better."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[11950,12011,0,0]}">''Rhucuil replied, No time to get sarcastic. We've made it.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[12013,12224,0,0]}">Rhucuil was right. The Sands, emptied out, into a vast plain of short brown Grass. In the far distance, Talvor could see black Slopes, rising sharply out of the ground. Above them was a vast sea of Black Clouds.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[12226,12294,0,0]}">"Ah," Talvor said, "Something tells me, THAT'S, where we're headed."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[12296,12332,0,0]}">Rhucuil Didn't need to confirm this.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[12334,12705,0,0]}">Talvor reluctantly, started across the grassy plain. It was mid day, and should have been blazing, bright. but remnants of Sauron's cloud, that followed his army to Umbar, were still covering the sun. The dark only grew, as they went closer to the Shadowy mountains in the distance. Talvor saw a cloud of ravens above, flying slowly, and cautiously towards the mountains.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[12707,12958,0,0]}">They are spies of the enemy. said Rhucuil, ''Originally, the wicked crows of Fangorn, now only mindless servants of the enemy. They are evil spirits disguised as innocent, or not so innocent, birds. They will Alert the Marshals of Sauron to you.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[12960,13008,0,0]}">"What do we do?", Said Talvor.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[13010,13184,0,0]}">''We shan't do anything. Sauron's Lieutenants, know of his devices, and won't be afraid of a lone traveler. They'll think you a deserter of Umbar, or something of the sort.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[13186,13513,0,0]}">They kept going, until the grasslands became rocky, and uneven. to their west, was a great river, Talvor knew to be The Anduin. They were within leagues, now of the mountains, when Talvor asked, "I assume you mean to enter the Black Land. How do you suppose it? There is only one way into Mordor, and it lays far to the North."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[13515,13800,0,0]}">Rhucuil responded, ''That is not entirely true. It pays to have once known all the secrets of Mordor. There is a Vale, just north of here, where the mountains form a horseshoe. near there, there is a pass. It is well guarded, though not by servants of Sauron. That is all I will say.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[13802,13835,0,0]}">By now Talvor expected the worst.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[13837,14112,0,0]}">For a few days they went on without rest, though Talvor did not tire. The Grassy plain had become a scant forest, which would have been nice, if it weren't for the Dark cliffs looming ominously over it all. There was no sign of living creatures, and especially civilization.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[14114,14422,0,0]}">''A very long time ago, this land was inhabited by a strange race of men, who spoke a strange tongue. When the black land rose, and the Dark tower constructed, they fled west, seeking freedom. Sauron pursued them, and many fell under his influence. Still they worship him, and serve him. It is a sad story.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[14424,14681,0,0]}">Talvor looked around and thought, about them. Living peacefully for so long, and then in one action, their lives were shattered, and destroyed. Talvor imagined these peoples were the first to fall, and now they are dark and evil, like the Dark lord himself.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[14683,14791,0,0]}">As they continued, the mountains came nearer, and before Talvor knew it, the black stone was under his feet.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[14793,14832,0,0]}">"How much farther is is?" Talvor Asked.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[14834,14980,0,0]}">''It lays just north. It won't be long now. The mountains shield it from prying eyes, like yours. You won't find it until you are right upon it.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[14982,15062,0,0]}">Talvor nodded and picked up his pace, until Rhucuil told him abruptly, Down!

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[15064,15208,0,0]}">Talvor ducked behind some rocks, only to see a stream of Orcs, much too close for comfort, slowly marching out ahead of him, towards the forest.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[15210,15624,0,0]}">The Orcs continued on for an hour, and though they were walking two abrest, the line went on and on, and it looked to talvor like there were almost ten thousand. Slowly, they began dwindling, until the marching ceased all together, and the army was quickly scattered in the forest. talvor hopped out from his hiding spot, only to see a few more orcs trailing through. luckily, he ducked back before he was noticed.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[15626,15677,0,0]}">"March! March, you maggots!", said the Orc captain.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[15679,15979,0,0]}">"Yes, sir," Said one orc, in Mock politeness, "But if you haven't noticed, The lord is defeated. You say you're sending us by orders of the Dark lord, yet he's clearly no where to be seen. If We find out you're using us, I'll--" At that, the Captain lashed out with his long, whip, knocking him down.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[15981,16266,0,0]}">"I was left orders, snaga, and if you question direct orders from Sauron himself, I'll--", The Captain was about to utter a long list of Revolting, and terrible, though perfectly fair things he was planning on doing to the soldier, when his head shot up, and he began sniffing the air.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[16268,16324,0,0]}">"What is it? What do you smell?", asked one of the Orcs.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[16326,16444,0,0]}">"Man Flesh. But it's strange." Said the captain, "Either this darn snaga it dulling my senses, or the man is... Dead?"

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[16446,16486,0,0]}">"Search around!", Shouted the other orc.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[16488,16956,0,0]}">Talvor Was confused. He expected the Orcs to smell him sooner or later, but...dead? He would have pondered this further, but the orcs were coming nearer to his hiding spot. He was preparing to spring out and attack, when a strong, cold, steel clad, hand gripped his shoulder. He tried to turn, but the hand slammed him into the rock wall. all Talvor heard and saw, was a great Tall, shadowed figure, with a hood. he had large chest plate, and a long sword. He uttered,

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[16958,17000,0,0]}">"Fall to the Power of the Mubulzot!"

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[17002,17013,0,0]}">

Part III
<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[17031,17218,0,0]}">...........................................................................................................................................................................................

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[17220,17543,0,0]}">Talvor awoke in darkness. At first, Talvor thought he had... Perished, or lost Rhucuil, and lost his breath. But as feeling returned to his Hands, Talvor felt the cold Steel hilt of Rhucuil planted firmly in his grip. Talvor began to see, but could only glimpse a small, dim light above him. Then he heard a terrible voice:

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[17545,17563,0,0]}">"Destroy him now!"

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[17565,17853,0,0]}">A Second, more raspy voice said,"No, Burguulni! We must wait for consent from the Lord. Remember, this Man is no ordinary man. He's trapped between the Shadow world, and the World of the Living. and he bears The Sword. Khorumbar was supposed to be looking after this. We must summon him."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[17855,18189,0,0]}">The First Voice said, "Mubulzot, you mustn't worry the others. Khamul, and Vadokanbul, are away north, Grimeoh is leading the front in the west with the others. Who can say where Khorumbar, Harnugak, and the Lord are. After the defeat at Umbar, I guess Khorumbar has fled deeper into the Shadow World, and Master well could have too."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[18191,18582,0,0]}">Talvor had had enough of this, but nonetheless, as long as the two voices were arguing, it was interesting banter. They mentioned him being trapped between the Shadow World and the Living world. he didn't understand what that meant, but he didn't like it. Just as Talvor was planning on getting up, and trying to sneak out, a horrendous shriek came from the opposite direction of the voices…

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[18584,18991,0,0]}">Another dim light shone from the direction of the Shriek. Talvor began to think he was in a building of a sorts. Slowly, his foggy eyesight, and mind, were growing stronger. Though he still couldn't see what was making the horrendous noise. it reminded him a lot of the sound Khorumbar made, when he saw the Black sails, and the sound the Shadowy figure in the Desert made, when Talvor set the sands ablaze.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[18993,19116,0,0]}">The raspy voice he had heard before spoke again, this time saying, "Ah, Vadokanbul. I was wondering when you might return."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[19118,19302,0,0]}">In response, a new voice uttered, "Save it! What has happened? i sensed something was amiss when Khamul, and myself were rallying the Forces at Gundabad. I turned and went back south."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[19304,19418,0,0]}">The voice belonging to Burguulni, said, "This creature was found near the pass to the Vale, spying on our armies."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[19420,19462,0,0]}">"Is that all?!", asked Vadokanbul harshly.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[19464,19744,0,0]}">"If that were all, we would have destroyed him!", said the raspy voice of Mubulzot, "He bore, The Sword. the one Khorumbar was supposed to be looking after. We would have taken it from him, but there is a bond formed between the blade, and it's carrier. They cannot be separated."

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[19746,20210,0,0]}">At this talvor felt a rush of energy, and lept up. The three creatures turned at him stunned. Talvor lifted Rhucuil, and a surge of power shot through him. He crossed swords with Mubulzot, and the others, but they were great swordsmen, and Talvor was outnumbered. He was pushed back to a small window, and for the first time, Talvor was able to see where he was. He was atop a large tower, in a vale of Mountains, most likely the very one he was trying to get at.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[20212,20475,0,0]}">But talvor didn't get long to think on this, vadokanbul, who was carrying a wooden rod, thrust his sword at Talvor. Talvor barely ducked out of the way, but was knocked off balance. With a knock of Vadokanbul's rod, Talvor went falling backwards out the window...

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[20477,20605,0,0]}">Talvor fell through the window, plunging downwards out of the tower. For the first time since his capture, Rhucuil spoke to him.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[20607,20641,0,0]}">Plunge me into the tower wall!

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[20643,20844,0,0]}">Talvor didn't have time to think that steel shouldn't be able to puncture stone, and stabbed into the wall. Miraculously, it stabbed through, and slowed his fall, until Talvor could get down the tower.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[20846,21127,0,0]}">But he didn't have time to celebrate 2 more creature like the ones in the tower, were closing in on him from the entrance to the vale. At the same time, Murbulzot, Vadokanbul, and Burguulni, were coming from the tower. He didn't know what to do, and he was preparing for recapture.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[21129,21261,0,0]}">But all of a sudden something caught his eye to his right. It looked like a steep staircase carved right into the face of the cliff.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[21263,21288,0,0]}">Rhucuil said, Go now!

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[21290,21854,0,0]}">Talvor didn't have time to think. He bolted towards the staircase with the Creatures on his tail. They let out terrible shrieks, but he kept running, undaunted. When talvor had just reached the staircase He immediately started up. It would have been slow going, but for the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Faster, and faster he climbed, not knowing whether the Creatures were still behind him. Talvor didn't know how long he went like this, climbing sharply up the face of the Mountain, until finally he came to a flat area, and stopped for a while.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[21856,22344,0,0]}">He looked down over the stairs to try and catch a glimpse of his pursuers. When he didn't see anything, he changed his glance to the Tower. It was tall, though the area he was standing on now, was well above it. it seemed to be carven out of the stone of the mountains which surrounded it, and seemed very unstable. It was a solitary pillar, no more than a guard tower. What it was guarding, lay just east of the tower. A wide valley of a pass. It led into a cavernous entrance to a cave.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22346,22452,0,0]}">Talvor turned and saw a similar cave not too far from himself, on the outcrop. He felt woozy looking at it

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22454,22478,0,0]}">Rhucuil said, Go in.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22480,22523,0,0]}">Talvor stared down into the shadowy cavern.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22525,22560,0,0]}">"I don't think I want to", He said.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22562,22763,0,0]}">But despite this, He slowly put one foot in front of the other, passing into the cave. It stunk. Worse than an Orc Camp. It was completely black, not even a small glimmer of light shone into the hole.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22765,22865,0,0]}">Rhucuil said halfway through, ''Good job. We're almost halfway. Oh, and try not to feel the walls.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[22867,23023,0,0]}">Naturally, talvor reached out and touched the side of the passage. He felt something sticky, and fabric-like. He immediately jerked back away from the wall.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[23025,23053,0,0]}">"What was that!?", He cried.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[23055,23119,0,0]}">Rhucuil said with disgust, I told you not to feel the walls.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[23121,23728,0,0]}">At that moment, something charged at Talvor knocking him to the ground. he quickly got up, and waved Rhucuil in the air. Suddenly, Rhucuil glowed white, with ghastly wraith energy, illuminating the cavern, and the beast which had lept from the shadows. It was a massive spider creature, with vicious fangs. It lunged again at Talvor, who was barely able to leap to the side. The creature attacked again, but this time Talvor was ready. He sharply raised Rhucuil, plunging it into the creature's eye. It reeled in pain, and shrieked, terribly, but I fled deep into the tunnels of it's lair.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[23730,23859,0,0]}">After stopping a few moments to catch his breath, Talvor lept up, and darted through the passage, making it out without stopping.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[23861,23893,0,0]}">"What was THAT!?" talvor yelled.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[23895,24098,0,0]}">Rhucuil uttered an odd, wraith-like laugh, and said, ''A spawn of the Creature Ungoliant. But enough of that. You survived, and that's what's important. Oh, and you should probably know, We've made it.''

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[24100,24308,0,0]}">Talvor climbed up on top of a bluff, to see where he was. All he saw for miles around was barren wasteland, and black rock. But then the Black stone sharply rose into a single solitary peak, topped with fire.

<p data-parsoid="{"dsr":[24310,24321,0,0]}">Mordor.

Trivia

 * Commandercody113 has invented names for all seven of the unnamed Nazgul, based upon their titles translated into Adunaic, Black Speech of Mordor, and Rohirric.
 * Once, during a period of inactivity, Ecthelion74 once posted MORE!!! 27 times consecutively to encourage the author to continue.
 * This story was based loosely upon the video game, Shadow of Mordor