Six Days of Spooky: Day 4

[illwynd]

Their Gaze
By illwynd
Disclaimer: Not mine!
Rating: PG for dark themes
Summary: The dangers of razing Minas Morgul. A double drabble this time!


Time had passed. Enough, it was thought, that the razing of Minas Morgul could be done in safety. Crews of men with hammers and picks and carts came to do the work each day, but before night fell, all would leave the bounds of the grim city, for they feared to sleep there. The few who had done so had woken to tell of horrible dreams, and had fled the place immediately, vowing never to return.

But even awake, all was not safe. Along each winding street, in each jagged old building, was a single spot of shadow that remained unbanished even in brightest daylight. They ranged from the size of a small coin to an emptiness like a great arched doorway, grim and unknown. Men would shudder and quickly look away when they spied one: the Nazgûl had once looked there, and their gaze lingered. Those who stared too deeply would find themselves within that gaze, trapped.

When pulled away, they could never tell what they had seen: something too terrible for the sunlit world. They would only whimper and stare with blank eyes. The Nazgûl’s gaze lingered, and those caught in it were never quite the same again.

Comments

[caras-galadhon.livejournal.com]

*shiver* Very atmospheric. And I love the concept behind this. The stain of the Nazgul lingers in the strangest ways.

[illwynd.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I know I wouldn't want to hang out someplace where the Nazgul lived for so long. ^_~ Glad you liked!

[cressidarambles.livejournal.com]

Ooh, spooky! Almost Lovecraftian, with "something too terrible for the sunlit world."

[illwynd.livejournal.com]

Almost Lovecraftian
Heeh! I suppose that's pretty suitable for this. ^_~ Glad you liked! *does happy spooky dance*

[lilan14.livejournal.com]

Oh wow...that's a great idea about Nazgul gaze...

Spooky *shivers*

[illwynd.livejournal.com]

*nods* It's creepy enough for them, I think. ^_^

Glad you liked!

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

a single spot of shadow that remained unbanished even in brightest daylight

Now that line made my hair stand on end. Very dark, very scary.

[illwynd.livejournal.com]

Heh heh heh! *cackles evilly and bows* I hoped this one would be properly scary. I think I freaked myself out a little when I was writing it. Glad you liked! ^_^

[edoraslass.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love the idea that the gaze of the Nazgul has such darkness that the power of it remains, long after the creatures themselves are gone. I'm staying away from Weathertop.

[illwynd.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked this! It seemed about right that they might have that sort of effect on the world.

And yeah, I think I'm with you on the staying away from Weathertop thing. :p