Ender's eyes were locked onto the evil aura that now floated still and silent in the night. A chill ran up her spine, and before she knew what was happening she was combatting the fearsome spectre; now dodging its deadly lunge, now swiping at the great orb with her sword. Her attack was in vain, for the sword shattered upon contact with the black mist, and several shards flew into her, causing sharp pain to overtake her. She turned her head as her knees caved in, a look of pain and wistfulness upon her blood-covered face as she stared at the guardian. "Why do you stand there and do nothing?"
The spirit did not answer. Perhaps it did after all, but if so, Endereth did not hear. Her body went limp and she lost all sense as she slipped into her silent blackness.
***
When she came to, Ender was alone. Looking about, she saw a familiar scene... the forest below the blue mountains. She was on the same precipice as she had stood on so many days ago. She tried to walk forward, but she could not, nor could she speak. She was bound and gagged by a morgul spell, and knowing not any magic, she could not escape its foul hand. Suddenly she heard an ominous laugh, and from behind her came a figure of blackest heart and most terrible fear.
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That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
.................William Wordsworth
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