A Light in the Ashes

The journey toward Mordor was as grim as I'd expected. The once vibrant landscapes gradually gave way to barren wastelands, the air thick with the stench of sulfur and decay. Mister Snuffles led the way, his massive paws leaving deep imprints in the ashen soil, while Lady Fluffy and Pudding flanked me on either side.

My Green Lady magic was fading here; the lifeless soil of Mordor offered nothing for me to draw upon. It was like trying to grow flowers on a concrete slab, pointless and frustrating. But I still had my frost spells among others so I wasn't helpless. Not to mention a few tricks up my sleeve courtesy of my storage system.

As we pressed on, the distant glow of Mount Doom flickered against the smog-filled sky. I knew Frodo and Sam were somewhere ahead, likely led or misled by that slimy little creature Gollum. Part of me wanted to catch up and put an end to his scheming, but I hesitated. Gollum played a crucial role in the Ring's destruction. Killing him might change everything.

"Why is nothing ever simple?" I grumbled. If I was able to just not fall to the ring this would have been so much easier. 

We came upon a ridge overlooking a massive encampment of orcs. Their guttural voices carried on the wind, and the clang of metal echoed through the valley. I motioned for the Wargs to stay low as we crept closer, taking cover behind a cluster of jagged rocks.

"...the new wraith joins the Nine," one of the orcs was saying, his voice rough like gravel. "It's the one that's being causing problems all over Mordor."

My ears perked up. A new wraith? That wasn't part of the original story.

"Shut it," another orc snapped. "We ain't supposed to talk about the Gravewalker."

Gravewalker. Talion. So he was here, Fantastic. As if things weren't complicated enough. But wait that meant there was another one ring?

We backtracked carefully, keeping out of sight. The terrain was rough, the ground cracked and uneven.

As we navigated through a narrow ravine. My thoughts drifted to the stories I'd heard about Celebrimbor and his Ring. If Eltariel had it, maybe I could kill her to get it.

"One step at a time," I told myself. "First, find Frodo. Then, figure out how to deal with a rogue ringwraith."

We reached a plateau that offered a grim view of the plains ahead. In the distance, a massive fortress loomed, likely one of Sauron's strongholds.

"Great. Just what I needed," I muttered. "An all-inclusive tour of Mordor's finest hellscapes."

A sudden rustling caught my attention. I signaled the Wargs to stay still as I peered over a boulder. A small group of orcs was marching below, grumbling among themselves.

"...can't wait to get outta this stinkin' place," one of them said.

"Yeah, but orders are orders. Gotta keep an eye out for any intruders," another replied.

I waited until they passed before exhaling. "That was close."

Moving swiftly, we continued our trek, keeping a low profile. As night began to fall, the landscape took on an even more creepy vibe. 

"We need to find shelter," I decided.

We found a shallow cave that offered minimal protection but was better than nothing. The Wargs curled up nearby, their bodies resting against me.

I nibbled on some dried meat, washing it down with water. My eyes scanned the darkness outside the cave.

A faint noise caught my attention, a soft, almost imperceptible whisper carried on the wind. My muscles tensed.

"Who's there?" I called out quietly, reaching for the hilt of my sword.

Silence.

Probably just the wind. 

"Get a grip, Ellehish," I muttered.

Mister Snuffles let out a low, rumbling growl from deep within his chest. His ears perked, nose twitching as he sniffed the air. Lady Fluffy and Pudding rose silently.

"What's got you all riled up?" I whispered, reaching instinctively for the hilt of my sword.

A faint skittering echoed from the shadows beyond our little shelter, a sound like nails scratching over stone, multiplied a hundredfold. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I tightened my grip on the sword, the cool metal comforting against my palm. 

The skittering grew louder, more frantic. Shadows shifted unnaturally against the rocks, and then I saw them, glinting eyes reflecting the ambient glow of Mount Doom, countless pairs blinking in the darkness.

One emerged into the faint light, a grotesque, hunched creature with mottled gray skin stretched taut over sinewy muscles. Its elongated limbs ended in razor-sharp claws, and its jaw hung open, revealing rows of jagged teeth.

It let out a guttural hiss, and as if on cue, the swarm surged forward.

The Wargs were already moving. Mister Snuffles barreled into the fray, his massive form colliding with the first wave of Ghûls. He snapped his powerful jaws around one, shaking it violently before tossing it aside like a rag doll.

Lady Fluffy and Pudding darted around him, as they tore into the horde. I raised my free hand, summoning a frost spell. A blast of icy wind erupted from my palm, catching a cluster of Ghûls mid-leap. They screeched as the cold bit into them, limbs stiffening before they shattered upon hitting the ground.

 A Ghûl lunged at me from the side. I spun, bringing my sword up just in time to deflect its claws. The impact jarred my arm, as I pushed back and sliced across its torso. Black ichor splattered across the ground as it fell.

The swarm pressed closer. We pushed them back toward the cave's entrance.

The narrow opening forced the Ghûls to approach two or three at a time. Mister Snuffles and the others snarled and snapped at anything that came too close.

I reached into my storage, pulling out a small vial filled with shimmering blue liquid. Uncorking it and downing the contents in one gulp. A surge of energy coursed through me, the effects of a fortified magicka potion kicking in.

I focused my enhanced power into both hands, conjuring twin Frost Atronachs. The towering ice creatures materialized with a roar, their crystalline forms gleaming ominously.

The Atronachs waded into the swarm, massive fists crushing Ghûls with each swing. For a moment, it seemed we might gain the upper hand. Then the ground beneath us trembled.

From the depths of the horde emerged a Ghûl Matron. Her bulbous body was a mass of pulsing flesh, and her multitude of eyes glowed with malevolent intelligence. She let out an ear-splitting screech.

The Matron charged, her bulk smashing through one of the Atronachs, shards of ice exploding in all directions. The shockwave knocked me off my feet, and I scrambled to regain my footing.

Lady Fluffy and Pudding darted around the Matron, nipping at her legs, trying to draw her attention. Mister Snuffles leaped onto her back, his claws digging into her thick hide as he bit down on the back of her neck.

She thrashed violently, slamming into the cave walls. Rocks rained down, and I dodged to avoid being crushed.

"Hold on, Snuffles!"

Mister Snuffles used the opportunity to sink his teeth deeper, tearing away a chunk of flesh. The Matron's movements became erratic, her balance faltering.

The remaining Frost Atronach advanced, slamming its fist into her side. With a final, anguished wail, the Matron collapsed, her massive form crashing to the ground and sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.

I coughed, waving a hand to clear the dust. "Is... is it over?"

The Ghûls hesitated, One by one, they retreated into the shadows, their hisses fading into the distance.

Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. The cave groaned ominously—the structural integrity compromised by the battle. Cracks snaked across the ceiling, small stones falling intermittently.

"Time to go!"

We bolted from the cave just as a section of the roof gave way, the entrance collapsing in a cacophony of rock and dust.

Outside, the night air was a stark contrast to the claustrophobic horror we'd just escaped. I doubled over, hands on my knees as I caught my breath.

"Everyone okay?" I asked between gasps.

The Wargs gathered around me, their coats matted with Ghûl blood but otherwise unharmed. Mister Snuffles nudged my shoulder, his eyes searching mine.

"I'm fine," I assured him, though my limbs felt like lead, and my magicka reserves were dangerously low.

We moved away from the collapsed cave, putting as much distance as possible between us and any lingering Ghûls. 

A sharp pain lanced through my side. I glanced down to see a shallow gash, likely from when I'd been knocked over. Great. 

I retrieved a small healing potion from my storage, grimacing as I poured it over the wound. The liquid sizzled slightly, the pain subsiding as the skin knit itself back together.

"Really need to thank her for making these potions," I muttered.

We pressed on, the Wargs staying close. The silence was unsettling, filled only by the distant rumble of Mount Doom and the occasional whisper of the wind. 

"Next time I decide to go on a solo mission into enemy territory, remind me of this moment," I said aloud.

Pudding gave a soft whine, her ears flicking back.

"Yeah, I know. Not exactly alone with you three around."

A faint glow appeared ahead—a sickly, greenish light emanating from a fissure in the ground. Curiosity tugged at me, but caution held me back.

"Stay here," I told the Wargs, edging forward to get a better look.

Peering over the edge, I saw a pool of viscous liquid, bubbling and churning as if alive. Wisps of noxious gas rose from its surface, distorting the air.

"That's... definitely not natural."

A sudden movement reflected in the pool's surface caught my eye. I spun around, but saw nothing. The Wargs were alert again, eyes fixed on the darkness behind me.

"We're not alone," I whispered.

From the shadows emerged a figure, cloaked and hooded.

"Show yourself," I demanded, drawing my sword.

The figure stepped into the dim light, a woman with pale skin and eyes that glowed faintly. She regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and slight disdain.

"You're far from home, Kinsman," she said, her voice echoing oddly.

"Could say the same about you," I replied cautiously. "Who are you?"

She smirked. "My name is Eltariel."

"What brings the Blade of Galadriel to these parts?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Her eyes narrowed. "I could ask you the same. Few dare to tread this path."

"Just passing through," I said casually. "You wouldn't happen to be hunting a certain wraith, would you?"

"Talion is not something you should be concerned about," she replied sharply.

I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword, the cool metal steadying my nerves as I faced Eltariel. The faint glow from Mount Doom cast eerie shadows across her pale features, I'd have to thank my luck for meeting her right now. 

"You're meddling in forces you don't understand," she repeated, her voice low and edged with warning.

I met her gaze unflinchingly. "Maybe so, but I've never let that stop me before."

A ghost of a smile played on her lips. "Bold words for someone so young."

"well being old like you is overrated," I retorted. "Besides, I'm not the one carrying around a piece of forbidden jewelry."

Her expression hardened. "You know nothing of this Ring."

"I know enough," I shot back. "Enough to see that it doesn't belong to you."

Her hand moved subtly, fingers flexing near the hilt of her blade. "And you think you can take it?"

"Only one way to find out."

Without another word, she drew her sword in a fluid motion, the blade singing as it cut through the air. The Wargs growled, but I signaled them to stay back. 

Eltariel moved first, darting forward with a speed that caught me off guard. Her blade sliced toward me in a diagonal arc. I parried just in time, the clash of steel ringing out sharply. The force of the blow vibrated up my arm, but I held firm. Id shift there was no point in holding back.

She pressed the attack, a flurry of strikes that tested my defenses. Left, right, overhead. I matched her as best I could, our swords meeting again and again in a deadly dance.

"You're quick," she remarked a hint of surprise in her voice.

"You're not the only one who's had practice," I replied, sidestepping a thrust aimed at my midsection.

I seized the opening to go on the offensive, launching a series of strikes aimed at pushing her back. She retreated deflecting each blow. Sparks flew as our blades scraped against each other.

"Why fight me?" she asked between clashes. "We could be allies."

"I have enough trust issues as it is," I said, feinting left before swinging right. "Besides, that Ring needs to be destroyed." I lied, I wanted that thing and it would be easier to use than the dark Lord's one.

She spun, bringing her sword around in a wide arc. I ducked, feeling the rush of air as the blade whistled past my head. Rising quickly, I aimed a strike at her exposed side. She twisted away, but not before my blade grazed her armor, leaving a thin line.

Eltariel's gaze hardened. "You're persistent."

"So I've been told."

We circled each other warily. The ground beneath us was uneven, rocks and debris making footing treacherous. Ash drifted down like dark snow, settling on our cloaks and hair.

She lunged again, but this time I was ready. I parried high and stepped inside her guard, using my momentum to shoulder-check her off balance. She stumbled slightly, and I took the opportunity to aim a strike at her hand, the one bearing the Ring.

Our blades met with a resounding clang, the force jolting us both. She pushed back fiercely, and we broke apart, each of us breathing harder now.

"You're not bad," I admitted grudgingly.

She arched an eyebrow. "Likewise abomination."

From the corner of my eye, I saw movement—the Wargs shifting anxiously. They sensed the stakes of this battle, their muscles tense and ready.

Eltariel seemed to notice. "Your beasts won't save you."

"They won't need to."

She raised her free hand, and a burst of radiant light flared toward me. seared across my vision, burning my skin and forcing me to stumble back. My Wargs snarled, the guttural sounds of their rage mingling with the ringing in my ears. Pain and adrenaline coursed through me as I blinked away the blinding light. My vision cleared just in time to see her advancing, blade raised, poised to strike.

Instinct took over. My eyes flared red, a vibrant, predatory glow that lit up the ashen gloom. The shift was immediate, I felt the familiar rush of power from my alpha form surging through me, sharpening every sense to a razor's edge. I bared my teeth in a feral grin. 

Eltariel hesitated for a fraction of a second, just long enough. With a guttural roar, I lunged forward, blade meeting hers in a furious clash. The force of the impact sent back.

Her every strike aimed to disable or kill. She wasn't toying with me anymore. This was a fight to the death, and she knew it. I countered her strikes with raw power and speed, forcing her to shift from offense to defense. 

The Wargs leapt into action. Mister Snuffles was the first to close the gap, barreling into her side. She spun gracefully, sidestepping his charge, but Lady Fluffy and Pudding flanked her, teeth snapping at her heels. Their ferocity forced her to divert her focus, giving me an opening.

I swung my blade in a wide arc, aiming for her hand, the one bearing the Ring. She caught my blade just in time, our weapons locked together. Sparks flew as the metal screeched against itself, the sound sharp and grating. I pushed with everything I had, my strength enhanced by the alpha power coursing through me.

"You're outmatched, Eltariel!" I growled. "Give up!"

She responded with a fierce cry, shoving me back with an explosive burst of light. The force knocked me off balance, and I stumbled, barely managing to stay on my feet. 

The Wargs weren't as lucky. Pudding, nearest to the blast, was thrown violently against a jagged boulder. A sickening crunch echoed through the air as she crumpled to the ground, unmoving.

"Pudding!" My voice cracked with fury, red overtaking the edges of my vision.

Eltariel's gaze flicked to me, calculating and cold. "You brought them into this. Their deaths are on your hands."

I didn't bother responding. The fury that roared through me needed no words. With a howl that shook the air, I launched myself at her, blade flashing. This time, my strikes were feral and relentless. I was no longer holding back, and she knew it.

Mister Snuffles and Lady Fluffy surged forward again, undeterred by the loss of their packmate. Snuffles leaped high, his massive jaws closing around Eltariel's shoulder. She screamed, twisting violently to dislodge him. Her blade swung upward, and with horrifying precision, she drove it into his chest.

Mister Snuffles fell with a pained yelp, blood pouring from the deep wound. He struggled to rise but collapsed, his body heaving with shallow breaths.

Rage boiled over, drowning out everything else. "You'll pay for that."

Eltariel turned to face me, her expression grim but resolute. "Come, then."

The fight resumed, faster, bloodier. Every strike was met with equal ferocity. My alpha form granted me speed and strength, but she was skilled, far more skilled than any opponent I'd faced. Still, she was tiring. Her breath came in harsh gasps, her movements losing their fluidity.

I reached into my storage and pulled out a vial of lesser magicka potion. Downing it in one swift motion, I felt the surge of energy course through me. Ice coalesced around my hands as I summoned a Frost Atronach. The towering ice creature roared as it joined the fray, swinging its massive fists toward Eltariel.

She dodged one blow, her blade slicing into the Atronach's crystalline form, but it was enough of a distraction for me to close the distance. I drove my sword toward her chest. She parried, but the force of the strike sent her staggering back.

Lady Fluffy darted in, her teeth sinking into Eltariel's leg. The elf screamed, swinging her blade down. The blow severed Lady Fluffy's head in one clean stroke.

"No!" The cry ripped from my throat, raw and broken.

Eltariel turned, bloodied and battered but still standing, her glowing eyes fixed on me. "This ends now."

"You're damn right it is you fucking cunt."

Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I surged forward. She met my charge head-on, our blades clashing in a final, deafening impact. I ducked under her next swing, coming up inside her guard. With a vicious slash, my blade tore through her wrist, severing her hand.

She screamed, the sound a mix of pain and fury, as the hand bearing the Ring fell to the ground.

Without hesitation, I reached into my storage and pulled out a Black Soul Gem. Channeling my remaining magicka, I cast Soul Trap, the spell engulfing her in a sickly glow, as I rust forward and bite her throat ripping it out. Her form wavered, her screams echoing as the gem absorbed her essence.

When the light faded, silence fell.

I dropped to my knees, panting heavily, blood dripping from my wounds. 

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."

The Ring lay on the ground, its golden surface gleaming ominously. I reached for it, my fingers trembling.

As I held it up, the whispers began. I drank the last two magicka potions and rushed towards Mister Snuffles who was still breathing and I cast healing magic on him. he's breathing began to slow down and even out. As I reached out and grabbed the ring.

Bright Lord's Ring

Artifact of the Bright Lord Celebrimbor, forged to dominate the will of others.

Type: Ring

Weight: 0.5

Value: Priceless

Enchantment:

The Bright Lord's Ring grants its wielder power to dominate the minds and wills of others weaker than the user. Its abilities stem from Celebrimbor's mastery of ring-crafting, blending light and shadow into a weapon of control.

Effects:

Dominate Forever

Targets successfully dominated remain under the wielder's control indefinitely. Only extraordinary circumstances, such as intervention by a greater power or the subject's willpower is extraordinary will be able to free them. Activation: Must weaken the target first, through combat.

Bright Domination

Adds the ability to dominate multiple targets simultaneously. 

Light of the Bright Lord

Passive Aura: Wielder emits a silver glow from their hand, which demoralizes nearby enemies. Active Ability: Blinding burst of radiant light that staggers enemies in a wide area. Costs stamina or magicka to activate.

Shadow Step

Active Ability: Teleport a short distance behind a target for a surprise attack or repositioning. Cooldown: 10 seconds.

(This one was useless for me since I have elder blood.)

Aura of Authority

Dominated allies fight with increased strength and endurance when near the wielder. Grants a 15% boost to all stats for allies within a 30-foot radius.

Enhanced Leadership

All dominated allies obey commands instantly and without hesitation. Grants the ability to issue complex, multi-step orders.

Lore:

The Bright Lord's Ring was forged by Celebrimbor, the greatest elven smith of his age, as a counter to Sauron's dominion. 

The Ring's purpose is not to destroy but to conquer. Its light shines brightest in the darkness, but the line between savior and tyrant becomes increasingly blurred for any who wield it.

Special Perk:

Eternal Will: The wearer gains resistance to mind control, charm effects, and fear. Their willpower is bolstered, making them nearly immune to psychological or magical manipulation.

Cost of Power: Extended use of the Bright Lord's Ring slowly drains magicka and stamina.