[Esgallhugwen]

The Dark Queen moved quickly, dispatching the guards. The storm above them seemed to grow in strength, the thunder roared hungrily overhead.

The arrows she let fly at The Masters head fell uselessly to the ground. A dark haze was protecting him, she could see it moving and twisting about him and Eodwine.

Esgallhugwen gave up the pursuit of taking down the Master, for now, she had made the way clear for Folowik and Falco to enter from the roof. The rain poured down heavily as she called up to them, the coil of rope descended.

A voice called out " Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima! O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!" Before she could react something struck her in the chest sending her flying across the black marble.

The voice was beautiful like the dawn but it was afraid, it was Lira's voice!

Esgallhugwen slid directly into Lira's cold dead body, gasping from the wind being knocked out of her, she looked downward on her fallen friend, the only one she had ever had for many years.

Her gaze led upward and she beheld a figure of auroral light.

"Lira!", the drenched Elf called out almost in disbelief that she was still here, then she knew the terrible power of the Master, knowing whom he truly was. Lira would not be able to leave until he was utterly destroyed.

The Dark Queen came to her feet and heard the Mouth of Sauron shouting at the man tied to the altar, his voice thick like poison.

"I am Herugor. Do you hear! Herugor!"

The fighting stopped, all seemed deadlocked, unable to move due to the uttering of such a name. The Dark Queen would have none of it and soon took down five more gaurds breaking everyones reverie.

Her fiery grey eyes scanned the temple for her assailant, but when she saw it she couldn't surpress a shudder. The shadow loomed above them, it was bound to two black pillars.

The Dark Queen stepped back in terror, it soon became apparent that the spirit would soon be liberated from its imprisonment. It was furious at Lira for having call upon Elbereth's grace.

Its tentacle like limbs slowly uncurled like snakes from the marble pillars, it laughed visciously at the two Elves that stood in front of it.

"You see, the Master's power is great, your feeble little Elvish darts can do nothing to stop Him or me" the spirit bellowed glowering down on them.

"Perhaps, but what of this!" the Dark Queen hissed angrily up at him despite her fear and drew forth her Elvish blade, the spirit stepped back unsure of the blades potency, then it smiled, if it could be considered a smile.

"Ha, so you have shown your true nature, like all your kind you wallow in deciet and folly, wrongfully mistaking it for courage and wisdom, your blood especially shall be prized by the Master, dark haired one, he will take it from you as slowly as possible".

Esgallhugwen's grip on her sword tightened, other figures began to appear, black and wretched, The guards, their souls have returned by His command.

"May the Valar protect us, mellon"