This is greater than Man or Elf.
Who: Khamul (narrative) What: Khamul falls into shadow, and wakes to find something on his hand. When: Sometime during the Second Age Where: Rhun, far in the East of Middle-earth. Status: Complete Rating: PG
The ring rested in the palm of his hand. It whispered to him. Temptations and tortures. Power. It was all he ever desired.
The whispering grew louder. He could hear it in his mind, demanding.
Power, Glory, your kingdom will be greater than any that have come before, or will come after.
Was it not already so? Had he not brought together the tribes of the utter East? Had he not conquered lands hundreds of leagues north and south? The Dragon Queen of Khand had been taken, and his armies rode across her lands. He wore armor of dragon-scale and tooth.
What more could he possibly need?
No starvation, no fear. The people would worship you, and through you they would worship the Eye, and Morgoth. Serve the Eye, serve Morgoth, serve your people.
He would serve no man!
This is greater than Man or Elf. This is power. Accept this gift of friendship. Accept this gift of power and become greater than any who would oppose you.
The longer he hesitated, the stronger the pull became, and the louder the whispering. It was around him, all around him and inside of him. He was drawn. He would wield this power. He would take immortality. The Shadow of the East would rise.
It called to him. It would always call to him, now and eternally until time itself is but a cloud in the mist. He placed the ring on his finger, and the shadows rose to claim him.
Khamul woke in a sweat. Something burned on his hand and he looked to see the ring there, a red glow fading.