Throw down his weapon.

Licking his dry lips, and his eyes following the dark shadow above as it blocks out the tiny slivers of light, he pondered upon the possibility he had truly succumbed to madness for considering it.

Casting his sword onto the ground behind him, he showed the voice that he was unarmed. "I have done as you've asked. Now show yourself!" He demanded.

A sudden splash behind him made him turn. Just in time to see his sword's tip disappear under the water. Anger welled up inside him, and he curled his hands into fists. Jabbing his finger into the darkness, he roared at the creature's mate. "Liar! Deceiver! You have no honor! Face me, creature!"

"I tell no lies, warrior," the voice replied calmly. "I merely fear for my life. Swear that you will not harm me, and once our talk is concluded, I shall return your weapon to you."

"I shall do no such thing, monster," he snarled, looking directly at where he believed it was hiding up in the ceiling. "You have stolen my blade from me, and you will stab me in the back with it if I make such a promise."

The voice responded with a soft amused chuckle. "Warrior, I do not need your human blade to do that." Something sliced through the air, and crashed into a thick rock spire, as tall as Wiglaf. It crumbled into dust, cascading upon what was left of itself into the water somewhere on his right. "If I had wanted to kill you, you would not have made it beyond the entrance to my home."

Wiglaf narrowed his eyes, not daring to even blink away the dust. Another splash. On the other side of the island, he found his sword, laid out neatly on the bank. Moving slowly towards it, constantly vigilant about any sudden attacks, he snatched it quickly and held it up, ready.

"Swear for my safety, warrior," the voice demanded again. "Swear that I will come to no harm tonight, and I shall reveal myself to you."

He took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "No more games, monster." Pointing with his sword at the shadow, he made his own demand. "Upon your mate's bones, you will keep your word."

The water in the moat rippled angrily. "Upon my beloved, this I swear," the voice responded in a snarl, sounding as if from behind gritted teeth.

His breathing was hard, and heavy, and loud. Licking his lips once more, and finally blinking, Wiglaf made his decision.

Walking backwards towards the entrance, he stabbed his sword into the ground before returning to the island. "On my family, I swear that you will come to no harm tonight, monster," he promised, wanting so much for this nightmare to end.