Disclaimer:  Tolkien's sandbox, I tiptoe with care.
Written for the OSA drabble challenge 'Random Phrases' ("With dance of dreadful").

Dreadful Dance

With the dance of dreadful certainty, the singing blades crashed all around his dazed eyes, and the youth wondered what foolish bravado had brought him here.  Stirring words of King and Captain had called, but weak-kneed before the awful charge, he wondered what purpose he could serve upon this ravaged field -- surely some stronger, more capable warrior could have used this sword, this shield, to better effect.

Then from the shadow, the Black Captain rose with sinister intent, and clarity broke through uncertainty and terror for one bleak moment, Fate’s hidden plan suddenly uncloaked. 

Freed from doubt, Merry acted.