Disclaimer: I own none of the characters within.

Author's Notes: Remember that scene in 'The Two Towers' when Frodo offers the Ring to the Nazgul? Sam stops him, and there is a magnificently intense moment in which Frodo has Sting pointed at Sam's throat, ready to kill for his Precious. Remind you of anybody? This poem plays out the rescue of Sam and the death of Deagol, side by side…

Shattered Mirror

Ringwraiths

Swooping overhead on their fell beasts

Horrible shadows

Blocking the sun

Clouds

Meandering across the sky

Delicate blots

Patchwork around the sun

An offering hand

A Golden Ring

Glazed blue eyes

Peaceful hysteria

A retrieving hand

A Golden Ring

Wild blue eyes

Instant madness

A second voice

A shove

A fall

The Ring is denied

A request

A grab

A reach

The Ring is denied

Drawing the sword

The blue eyes harden

Grabbing the neck

The blue eyes blaze with insanity

Pointing the blade

Tightening the grip

Closer

Tighter

A cry

"It's me, your Sam!

A cry

"It's me, your Deagol!"

Listening

Blinded

Reached

Unreachable

Relaxed

Possessed

He's alive

He's dead

Thank you, Sam

What have I done?