A foul stench is in the air as two hobbits arrive on a deserted battlefield; once friends but now determined to strike the other down no matter the cost. Some mysterious hand is at work; but neither of the hobbits notices this dark power forcing their every movement. Shadow shrouds the eyes of the noble. Darkness takes hold of their hearts. Will blood satisfy them for the time being? Or will it drive them to the brink of destruction?
Looking out over the battlefield from some ruins built on a hill, Samwise Gamgee looks for his enemy...
...and spots him, Meriadoc Brandybuck, through the ruins of a once proud city.
Merry has come for vengeance. Vengeance for what, he knows not the answer.
Searching,...
...he spots his adversary.
Merry makes the first move and runs towards Sam as fast as his legs can move.
Seeing Merry on the move, Samwise does the same.
Sam stoops for a stone, but Merry runs to the ruins to get out of the way.
Seeing that throwing stones at Merry would prove useless, Samwise runs towards him; hoping to cut him down quickly.
Merry takes the opportunity to throw his own stone at Sam and hits him in the head! Fate seems to be with Sam though as the stone gets lost in the tangled mop on his head.
Merry takes the initiative and charges Sam, trying to get the advantage while Sam gets the rock out of his hair.
Merry beats his foe back and strikes at him, but Sam was taught well and parries the blow.
Merry engages the fight again only to have swords lock in stale mate. To get the upper hand, Meriadoc kicks Sam and strikes with his sword but Sam blocks it once again.
Again, Merry charges and wins the fight, but swings wide of his mark.
Sam gets the upper hand and wins the duel against his foe. Using all his might, he strikes down on Merry, only to cut a gaping hole in a billowing cloak; saving Merry from a fatal blow.
Furious, Sam rams into Merry. He manages to repel the attack and slashes at Sam, cutting a large gash in his left arm. Fate must have left him this time.
Sam strikes once again at Merry but falls short.
Stepping towards his enemy, Merry beats back Sam but trips on some hidden root, causing a fit of laughter to erupt out of the fat hobbit.
Still laughing, Sam swings at Merry but is blinded by his own tears; missing horribly.
Once again, the two hobbits face each other. Sam swats the opposing sword aside and kicks the hobbit through the window of the ruins.
In a pool of blood, Merry lays there; broken and defeated. Sam stands above him, eyes wide in horror, becoming quite aware of what he has just done; sick to his stomach as he watches the life of his best friend slip away.
The victor of this duel: Samwise Gamgee.
A sinister cackle of evil is faintly heard in the passing wind; darkness leaving to find other heroes for it's cruel entertainment.
Blood has been spilt this day. It won't be the last. Not for the peace-loving Hobbits of the Shire. Not for the noble of heart. Not for anyone.
The Throne of Skulls has begun. Only till one Hero stands will this evil be satisfied.
Hope you enjoyed the report as much as I did fighting the battle and writing it.
