sri, 15. lipnja '05 u 06:44
Nedavno sam pronašao zanimljiv tekstić na netu. Evo:
Elvenkind departed long ago.
Dwarves vanished from the face of the world.
Man and Hobbit now as one.
It was the dawn of the Seventh Age of the world.
Mount Doom has slumbered for eons, waking briefly at times to destroy its surroundings and whatever dwellings that have been built around its base in a cascade of molten lava and ash. Its true name forgotten over the passage of history, it waits.
New life surrounds its base. Veins of the ore once known as mithril have been unearthed. Scouring this vein are hoards of the man-hobbits bent on making their fortune, called to it by greed, all the while not knowing that their greed is being fueled by an unknown presence.
One of these man-hobbits, busy in his daily toil for the titanium, comes across a small lump of gold purer than any that he has ever seen. He is fascinated by it and becomes withdrawn from his peers, losing all interest in anything else but this small, precious, stone. His dreams dark and full of power, he retreats into himself and away from everything and everyone he has ever known.
Deep in the heart of Mount Vesuvius, ancient evil is reawakened by a small man with a small hammer, ringing throughout its massive caverns.
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In the deep...
…there was only laughter.
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Lord of the Rings: Apocalypse
By: Jonn Wood
Based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien
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- Valinor -
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A fire burned in the hearth of stone. Warm and comfortable was the room. Built into the side of a hill in ages past, it was an almost perfect replication of Bag End. Frodo sat opposite of Sam, who was growing bored. They've been playing the same game of chess for quite a long time.
"It's your move." Sam told him.
"I know, give me a minute." He answered.
"We've been sitting here for ages." Sam said, "Either forfeit, or move. I'm getting restless. It's almost dinner time you know, and I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry." Frodo said as reached over to the board and picked up a pawn. He searched the board one final time, and then took Sam's rook. "There, I moved." he said, leaning back into his chair.
"Aha!" Sam exclaimed as he moved his knight to threaten Frodo's king. "Checkmate." He said, beaming.
"That's impossible." Frodo said.
As he was studying the board for a possible counter, he began to feel lightheaded. His shoulder began to ache sharply, and he clutched at it, grunting.
"What's the matter?" Sam asked him, "Are you all right?"
"It's just my old wound." Frodo stated, his eyes going glassy.
"That hasn't bothered you since I don't know how long." Sam said, worry and concern in his voice. "I'm going to go get Gandalf."
"It'll go away in a minute." Frodo said, strain in his voice, and "Don't bother him with it." He flinched as he said this. The wound felt like it was tearing, and he cried out in pain.
"No sir, Mr. Frodo." Sam said defiantly, standing up "I'm getting 'im now." He went to the door and looked back at his longtime friend, worry creased all over his features. "I'll be back before you know It." he said, leaving the room.
How long Frodo sat there holding his shoulder he did not know. When Sam returned, he was in the middle of pouring himself a pint of mead. Instead of Gandalf though, Elrond was with him, along with several other elves. One of them was a most welcome sight. Galadriel could brighten the darkest room with just her presence alone.
"I'm sorry it took so long Mr. Frodo," Sam apologized, "but I couldn't find Gandalf anywhere. I did tell Master Elrond though."
"Sit down Frodo," Elrond told him, "and let me have a look at you."
"I'm fine, really." Frodo answered, yet he sat down anyways as was customary to do as your elders tell you to do, and he wasn't about to refuse him.
Elrond pushed his collar to the side and gazed at the welting scar that has been on him since he first healed him. It was raised and red; ugly really. Frodo flinched when he touched it. Looking to Galadriel, an unspoken question passed between them and they both placed their hands over the wound, chanting softly.
Frodo began to feel very sleepy. His eyes closed of their own volition. Their soothing voices, Elrond's deep baritone and Galadriel's lilting alto, lulled him to sleep as they cast their magics.
Sam, grimfaced, couldn't help but feel the same way. His features smoothed. Even though he was standing, he began to nod off only to catch himself.
All at once their chanting stopped. A strange wind filled the room, whipping everyone's hair. Frodo's eyes snapped open and he began to scream as Elrond and Galadriel said "No!" in unison. They both stood up like a marionettes with their strings pulled. In the distance, another voice was heard to be screaming as well.
Both Elrond and Galadriel began to clutch at their ring fingers, a gasp of exultation escaping their lips. This was followed immediately by crying.
Sam, never before hearing any elf cry, felt his heart break at the sound. He looked at each of them, trying to figure out what to do to help in any way that he could and knowing it wouldn't be enough.
"Nothing!" Elrond shouted, his voice fuller than it had been in years, "It was all for nothing!"
"Master Elrond?" Sam asked.
"The ring," Frodo answered, "It lives."
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There was a knock at the door. Everyone in the room was still in shock over what had just happened. In a daze, Sam went to answer it.
"Gandalf!" Sam Exclaimed.
The wizard stooped low and strode into the room. With eyes wild, he shooed the elves out the door save for Elrond and Galadriel. "There is much to talk about, my friends." He told them at the door, "Please excuse us. All will be revealed shortly."
He turned to face the others as he shut the door. "You know what has happened." He stated flatly.
"We all felt it, Gandalf." Elrond answered.
"Yes," Galadriel said softly, "we all did."
"Frodo most of all," Sam said, "He shouted like he did when he was stabbed with that horrid blade all those years ago."
"I'm better now," Frodo lied, "Gandalf, what is going on? What has happened? We destroyed it." He began to sob, "It very nearly destroyed me with it." He was rubbing the stump of his finger as he said this, remembering his fight with Sméagol. "Sauron was destroyed, wasn't he?"
"Yes my dear Frodo," Gandalf comforted him "Sauron was destroyed. It wasn't he that you felt, but his master."
"That can not be possible Gandalf." Elrond said to him with a look of astonishment on his face, "He was imprisoned long ago." He emphasized the statement with a broad sideways gesture with his left arm.
"The signs are right, I'm afraid." The wizard said grimfaced. "The reckoning is at hand."
"Begging your pardon," Sam spoke up, "But if it isn't Sauron, then who is it?"
Galadriel, who had been drying her tears all this time, whispered, "Merkul, the Morgoth." She closed her eyes and a single tear ran down her face.
"The First Dark Lord," Elrond said, completing her thought.
"His was the darkest of powers since before the First Age." Gandalf said. "It was through him that Sauron gained his power."
"When do I leave?" Frodo asked, dread full in his voice.
"The ravages of time would undo you were you to return, my dear Frodo." Gandalf said to him gently. "While it may seem that you haven't been here but a short score of years, much time has passed in the world that you once knew."
"What do you mean?" Frodo asked.
"Empires have risen and fallen from power like the breaths of birds. The world as you knew it has long since passed. Though you were among the tallest of hobbits, they have evolved over the centuries and you would be among the shortest there. The hair of their feet have fallen out, and their feet themselves haven't grown with them. They even wear shoes."
"That's not natural." Sam remarked with a note of disgust while wiggling his toes.
"No, it isn't," Elrond agreed, "but, that is the least of things that should be worried about." His face fell, "In their merger with the race of men, they have taken the worst of traits from each and have made them their own. Now, more like orcs in their views of the world, they have overrun the entire of the planet, beyond middle earth, making war on everything in their path."
The room grew dark as he spoke. Sam and Frodo sat in disbelief with their mouths agape and eyes wide.
"Impossible!" Frodo exclaimed.
"What," Sam began, "I mean how," he stuttered, "Merged?"
"As he said, it was during their second dark age. By our reckoning, it was the end of the fourth age." Gandalf explained, "A Great Winter that has not been seen since before the first age of the world descended and engulfed the land, choking crops, killing cattle. Many died. Those that survived the first years of it became homeless and wandered, following the wild herds wherever they went."
Gandalf paused and lit his pipe that he had packed. He puffed a few smoke rings here and there.
Galadriel continued where he left off, "It wasn't until very near the end of the Fourth Age when the Great Winter broke, starting the fifth age. By that time the fight for food and survival had run its course and very few of each race survived. Those that did mingled and intermarried with each other. The races of man and hobbit were no more, and yet both survived in each other."
"Stop, I can't hear any more of this!" Sam exclaimed as he shot up from his chair. "It's too unbelievable."
"I'm sorry Master Gamgee," the wizard said, "There is much more in the telling. But, that can wait till after dinner. That is pheasant I smell roasting isn't it?"
"Oh dear," Sam said, running to the kitchen, "I'd forgotten all about it. I hope I didn't scorch it!"
The five friends sat at the dinner table and ate in a melancholy silence. Dark thoughts weighed in the room, and not one of them really tasted their food much, if at all. More than once, Frodo had stretched his left arm about trying to work out the ache that vexed his shoulder.
After a while, they moved back into the main room taking their drinks with them. Frodo slumped into his chair, looking very tired indeed. "Why can't I go? I can't just sit here and do nothing. I've done it before and I should do," He paused, "Something."
Galadriel reached over to him and took his hand gently, "You would die the moment you stepped out into the world."
Crestfallen, and a little guilty from being relieved, Frodo slumped ever deeper into his chair, if that were possible.
There was some scuffling coming from outside along with a lot of muttering. The door opened without a knock. With walking stick leading the way, a very chubby old hobbit entered with his feet shuffling.
Looking through the door, stooped low, an elvish voice said "My apologies, but he would not take no for an answer."
"Bilbo!" Frodo said, getting up from his chair. He rushed to his adopted father's side and helped him to a chair.
"Thank you my lad." Bilbo said to him, sitting down with a grumble, "Now why are there elves in front the door trying to keep me out? Not very nice it is, especially when I live here."
He looked up to the visitors in the room, glancing briefly on each of them before saying, "Well I say, finer company I could never ask for! What brings you here to Bag End? Frodo, be a good lad and fetch some wine."
"It's all right Bilbo," Gandalf said, "We were nearly done here."
"Oh?" Bilbo looked hurt, "Pity, you three hardly ever visits here, especially all at the same time. I was hoping for a nice game of chess or two."
"Tomorrow, I promise my old friend." Gandalf said. He looked to Elrond and Galadriel, nodded slightly and they agreed. "For now, though, we must go and make arrangements."
"For what," Bilbo asked, "a party? Oh please say so, it's been ages since we had our last party."
"Splendid idea Bilbo," Gandalf said. "Yes, I think a small party might lift our spirits nicely."
They all made to get up, save for Bilbo who was busy filling his pipe. "Tomorrow then, yes? I'll have the board ready for you around noon."
"I'll be here." Gandalf said, as he was ushering the others out. "Noon it is. I'll be here before then."
"Remember you promised." Bilbo said with a small smirk on his face.
Gandalf nodded, grinning. He then exited after the others. Sam, still wanting to know what was happening, followed them to the gate.
"Half a minute!" he said crossly, "We just had the most disturbing discussion since you told me to follow Frodo all those years ago, and now you are just going to play a game of chess? Plan a party?" he huffed, exasperated, "Something has to be done!"
They turned to the angry hobbit. Elrond with a look of admiration, Galadriel with a hint of a smile, and Gandalf with a small huff, said, "Master Gamgee, you spear me to the core! Of course something has to be done!"
"Then you just lied to Bilbo!" he said, stamping his feet.
"No I didn't." Gandalf shook his head. "Things are already being done. I wanted to make sure that Frodo was all right, and I'm satisfied that he is. I will be here tomorrow at noon as I promised."
"But Mergoth, or whatever his name is," Sam said, wide eyed, "What about him? Aren't you going to go warn the world what's happening?"
Gandalf knelt down to eye level with Sam and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Master Gamgee, Things are going to be done, but not by me."
"What?" Sam was almost in a fit now, "Then you're just going to leave the world to go to Mordor?"
"Sam," he said gently, "If I had a choice, I would have been there already."
"Then why…"
"I have been forbidden to go, my friend." He interrupted the red faced Gamgee, "My time has passed and I have been told to take care of Bilbo, Frodo and you."
"I can take care of them." He said, "I've done so for so long, I know exactly what needs to be done around here. Don't fuss about us, go do your job."
"What you saw today was just the beginning." Gandalf said softly, "It will get much, much worse." Sam's eyes softened and finally began listening to him. "You saw Frodo wince and work his arm during dinner."
"Yes," Sam answered, "I thought he was just sore from before."
"Were that it was so," Gandalf said. "I counted each time he did."
"And?"
"Nine times did he wince and stretch," he said, "Nine times he felt the pull. Nine times did the magic flow."
Realization on his face, Sam's mouth fell open and he grabbed Gandalf's tunic. "No. Please no."
Nodding, Gandalf said, "During our lovely dinner, almost a full year has already passed in the world. Melkor's slave has learned and has found each of the nine rings of men. Even now, he is searching the world for the right men to take their place at his side. By this time tomorrow, they will have been found."
Trembling a little, remembering their screeches, Sam asked, "If not you or Mr. Frodo, then who?"
"There are few like me left in the world." He said, smiling, "One in particular, and he knows the world as it is today. As for who he is going to get to help him, descendants will be approached."
"But Frodo has none," Sam said a bit perplexed, and then said, "You mean my descendants, don't you."
Gandalf nodded. "Aragorn's line, though threadbare, lives still as well. But enough of this, I have to go tell my replacement what to do." He said, standing up.
As he was leaving, Sam called after him, "Who is it?"
Climbing into his saddle, Gandalf looked back one last time. Galloping away, he shouted over his shoulder, "Radagast!"
Jean-Luc Picard: "Let's make sure that history never forgets the name Enterprise."
Orion izmjenio poruku 18.06.2005, 15:17