Special thanks to Slightly Tookish for betaing.

~*~*~

Ere Darkness Falls

He did not understand what was going on. It all happened too fast. Freedom had welcomed, hope embraced him. Limbs, heavy with despair and fear, were obeying him at last. He was running, running from the choking, foul air that squelched even the last will of life; running from the dreadful eyes; running…

His heart pounded with excitement. Joy had taken hold of him, blind delight as he urged Sam on again without looking back. "On, on, Sam, and we will be through."

Faint came Sam's answering cry, as if from a great distance - further back than he could be. Frodo hesitated but he never had the chance to stop and turn around.

Searing pain shot through his limbs. He stumbled and fell, but never reached the earth. Someone - something - grabbed him. His sword clattered as it fell useless to the ground. His fingers twitched, but he had no control over them.

A sting was driven deeply into his nape, sending pulsing hotness through his nerves. An abominable stench surrounded him, making him dizzy with nausea. He retched dryly once, twice, then every muscle went numb. His body was not capable of any reaction at all.

Slowly and with a slick sound the sting was withdrawn. Frodo thought it could not have pierced him so deeply without shooting right through his neck. His eyes rolled back in their sockets as he was lifted up. Weakly his head lolled to his chest and for a split second he thought he felt his hair clinging to his clammy brow. Throbbing heat pulsed through his veins, sending his whole body alight with agony. His mind squalled with pain until his voiceless cry deafened him for any other sound.

Like helpless prey he lay in his enemy's grip; unable to breathe, unable to move. Frodo called for Sam in his silent anguish. He should not come to rescue him, but to save himself. It would not do to have them both die here. For dying he was. Frodo could feel the very breath of life being taken from him. His vision was veiled by black spots and grey mist. Dimly he was aware of being turned around. And the last thing he saw before his eyes closed and his mind sank into fathomless darkness, were innumerable eyes gloating with abominable, purposeful delight. This was the end and he did not even have the strength to fear it.

~THE END~