Beauty and a Beast

Sam and Frodo were climbing a high rock overlooking Morannon.

"The Black Gate of Mordor."
Gollum said, as the enormous Black Gate came into view with Orcs patrolling and standing guard on the towers and atop the walls.

"Oh save us. My ol' Gaffer'd have a thing or two to say if he could see us now."
Sam murmured to himself.

"Master says to show him the way into Mordor, so good Sméagol does. Master says so." Gollum said, looking up at Frodo.

"I did."
Frodo said, in compliance to what Gollum had said.

Orcs were patrolling the Black Gate.

"That’s it then. We cannot get past that."
Sam said, in almost defeat.

Just then, from the right, an army of Easterling soldiers was marching to the Black Gate. A command was heard and an Orc sounded a horn, which signaled for the Gate to be opened. Two enormous cave trolls stretched and growled and then pulled the mighty Gate open.

"Look! The gate, it's opening! I can see a way down."
Sam said, as he moved closer to the edge.

Suddenly, the rock underneath him gave way and he fell.

"Sam, no!"
Frodo called, but Sam was already sliding down.

Without any hesitation, Frodo went after Sam.

"Master!"
Gollum called after him.

Two Easterling soldiers saw streams of dust coming down the cliff made by Sam and Frodo. They moved away from the troop to investigate. Frodo reached Sam who is stuck in the scree. As the Easterlings moved closer and closer, Frodo threw his Elvish cloak over himself and Sam. The soldiers were now directly in front of Sam, but their eyes saw nothing but rock. Frodo and Sam peered from underneath the cloak. The soldiers soon left and after a moment, Frodo threw back the cloak and pulled Sam out.

"I do not ask you to come with me, Sam."
Frodo said, after he had pulled his friend out from the scree.

"I know, Mr Frodo. I doubt even these Elvish cloaks will hide us in there."
Sam said, as they prepared to make a run for the Gate.

"Now!"

But before they could do anything, Gollum pulled them back.

"No! No, no master! They catch you! They catch you! Don’t take it to him! He wants the preciousss. Always he’s looking for it! And the preciousss is wanting to go back to him. But we mustn’t let him have it."
Gollum cried, as Frodo tried to make another run for it.

"No!"
Gollum pulled Frodo back again.
"There’s another way. More secret. A dark way."

"Why haven’t you spoken of this before?!"
Sam almost snapped.

"Because Master did not ask!"
Came Gollum's reply.

"He’s up to something."
Sam said, clearly not trusting their 'guide'.

"Are you saying there’s another way into Mordor?"
Frodo asked, turning to face Gollum.

"Yes. There’s a path, and some stairs, and then… a tunnel."
Gollum answered, as Frodo and Sam watched as the Black Gate closed.

Gollum was stroking Frodo’s arm and burying his face in his cloak.

"He’s led us this far, Sam."
Frodo said, as he started to think about what Gollum had said.

"Mr. Frodo, no."
Sam nearly pleaded. He could not believe that Frodo was siding with Gollum than him.

"He’s been true to his word."
Frodo continued, clearly ignoring Sam.

"No!"
Sam whispered, before Frodo looked at Gollum.

"Lead the way, Sméagol."

"Good Sméagol always helps."
Gollum said, before he started away.

Frodo followed Gollum as Sam stared after him in disbelief.