Darkness Reins

Chapter Three

~Two Days~

Merci yawned softly, still huddled against Saurons side as he- oddly- read a book. She gazed at him, the ring he had forged not long ago rested upon his digit.
"What does that ring do, Sauron?"
"A single ring to rule them all. Meaning we can rule whatever we want and no one can stop us." He nodded while gazing down at her. She hummed in response before stretching and sitting up.
"Do you still hurt?"
"Hmm? Naw. I'm alright now." Merci smiled while kissing his helmet and sliding down off the bed. "Thanks for checking." She giggled. Sauron chuckled softly at her, adjusting himself in his spot as Merci took his book and sat in his lap.
"How are you doing is my question."
"I am alright. Only a little tired."
"Ooo wow. You're tired for once?" She giggled with a small gasp. Sauron chuckled slightly, leaning against her slightly as a makeshift kiss before sitting back up. Merci giggled more, her gaze unbreaking as she smiled.
"What?" He chuckled as he patted her head.
"Nothing. Just love you." She giggled while kissing his helmet again. Sauron chuckled, gently placing his hands on her waist as she leaned into his chest.
"Comfortable?"
"As comfortable as I can get." She hummed with a yawn.
"Rest." Sauron nodded. She huffed slightly before yawning again. "Sleepy you."
"Oh hush. You need sleep to." She mumbled. Yawning once more before falling into a slumber. Sauron chuckled, leaning against her while he to fell into a gentle slumber.

~Flashback~

Merci watched as Arondir and his wife Velera danced around, constantly holding hands as they twirled around together. Halbrand took notice in her stare, gently taking her hand and giving her a gentle kiss.
"Are you alright my dear?" He questioned gently.
"Elves are so wonderful. They move with such grace, it's beautiful." She smiled while looking towards him. Velera stood on the tips of her toes and kissed Arondir quickly before stretching, releasing his hand as she did so.
"They are a wonder." He smiled. Arondir smiled down at Velera, twirling her around once more before allowing her to walk off for a minute.
"Hiii!" Velera smiled as she approached the two. Merci stepped away slightly and she took note of it and calmed her tone and stepped back slightly.
"I apologize for my wife. She is skittish of new people." Halbrand smiled as he held out his hand. Velera smiled and shook his hand.
"It's alright. Not everyone is ready for a cheerful elf." She smiled. Merci giggled slightly as she glanced at Velera.
"Was surprised you came over." She said softly.
"Oohh. Oh yeah." Velera giggled as Arondir walked over to them.
"My names Arondir." He smiled while shaking Halbrands hand.
"Halbrand and Merci." Halbrand smiled. Merci giggled softly as she leaned against Halbrand.
"You two dance beautifully."
"Thank you." Arondir smiled as he bowed slightly. Merci giggled softly as Velera followed his lead.

~Somewhere in Middle Earth~

"Arondir!" Velera called out, a child hugged tightly at her leg as a wolf snarled at them. "I don't have my blade c'mon!" She yelled. And just like that, the wolf was shot down. The child screamed slightly, Arondir jumping down and checking on the toddler.
"Arevel, are you alright?"
"Scared me a little daddy." She whispered while sniffling quietly.
"Well I won't be far, I'll always be close to you and mommy." He smiled. Velera smiled slightly as she crouched down and kissed both of them gently.
"He's always close. Always always." She smiled. Arevel giggled softly, fiddling with her fingers before running off into the pasture.
"Do you remember Merci love?" Velera questioned.
"I do, why?" Arondir questioned softly while kissing her cheek.
"I worry for her sometimes. Ever since we found out Halbrand was Sauron she disappeared along with him."
"Do you remember that vow we thought was strange they said?" He hummed.
"Yeah I do. 'Through immortality and even the firest parts of life, I shall forever hold your hand within my claw.' Was an odd vow from Halbrand." She sighed.
"Maybe Merci followed his words. Even if he was dark and evil she still adored and loved him."
"That still doesn't excuse why she just left! She would've told me. I know she would have. We told each other everything." She whispered while leaning against him.
"You said she left a note?"
"Doesn't tell me anything."
Arondir hummed slightly, pulling her against him as Arevel walked back up to them.
"Momma?" She questioned. Velera crouched down to her, taking her hands gently.
"There's a weird horse in the stable."
Quickly the three dashed off to the stable, and there stood a black and white spotted horse.
"Aldra." Velera gasped quietly.
"Mercis horse." Arondir mumbled.
"What is he doing here? She took him with her."
"It seems not, he's thin." He nodded while petting the horse. Aldra neighed loudly in response.
"Here, let's get him fed." She said quickly before leading him into one of the stables, Arevel grabbed horse feed and poured it into the bucket, Aldra eating it quickly.
"She wouldn't do this to him. She loves him to much." Velera mumbled while shaking her head.
"It is odd." Arondir nodded while gently pulling her close.

~Mordor~

Merci stared outside the tower, humming quietly before looking at Sauron.
"You remember Velera and her husband?"
"I do." Sauron nodded. "You were scared of them at first." He chuckled. Merci huffed softly before pushing him slightly.
"I think about them every now and again. I wonder if Aldra found them."
"Your horse? Why did you leave him? You loved him."
"I feel as though Mordor would not be safe for him. There is no grass, no water. And at the given point in time I don't trust your anger." She hummed quietly while sighing. "And we are surrounded with nothing but fire. It is not safe for him. I wish for someone I trust to care for him, and Valera is the person I trust."
Sauron hummed as he looked down at her, crouching in front of her while she looked away.
"After everything you've done I don't trust you like that right now." She whispered, keeping her head turned as tears streaked her cheeks.
"I understand." He said gently while pulling her close, as gently as he could he wiped her tears. Leaning up slightly and giving her his makeshift kiss. "It'll take time, yes. But I won't strike you like that again. Jealous turned to rage, something I shouldn't have ever done."
"You're such a dork." She chuckled while kissing his helmet. Sauron chuckled, standing back up and gently taking her hand.
"Care to dance?" He hummed softly. Merci giggled softly, giving him a nod as he began to sway. He felt a fool, but knowing he was with her soothed the part that felt a fool.
"Reminds me of our wedding night. You looked a complete fool, but I love every inch of my complete fool." She giggled while pulling him down slightly and giving him a kiss. Sauron chuckled softly as he held her close and spun slightly.
"Remember how we met Velera and Arondir? You said their dance was beautiful. Moving with such grace."
"Well it's true. Especially in their armor, to flashy." She giggled. "They seemingly moved like their feet never touched the ground, moving in such a grace it was enchanting. I remember Velera was so energetic, even when she came over to met us she had a lot of energy." Merci chuckled as Sauron spun her gently.
"You hid behind me as she came over, it was cute. You were shy then." He chuckled.
"Oh hush up. I didn't know how to feel then. My life was and still is surrounded around you. It didn't help, we had just lost our second child to the Orcs." She sighed. Sauron held her against himself, gently rubbing her back as she made a sound.
"Maven would've loved to see the elves. She loved them."
"Got her love of things from her mother."
"And from you. You have your interests and you hook them like a pig. I remember you had this, obsession with just adventures. Hence why she died. She wandered, much like you do, and right into the Orcs. The idiots were dumb enough to kill her. I slaughtered those very Orcs-"
"Merci breathe." He interrupted. Merci clenched her teeth, loosening her grip and taking a deep and calming breath.
"Sorry." She whispered. Sauron leaned into her slightly and made a comforting humming sound.
"It's grief. I cannot get made about it, I feel the same way about our son." He whispered.
"It wasn't your fault, Sauron. He wandered off."
"He would still be here if I had just stayed with him. I let him wander to far."
She hugged him tighter, the pain he was in evident as he shook.
"Here come, let's find a way to breathe."

He followed her like a lost puppy as she led him out of Mordor, being in his Halbrand form. She held his hand a little tighter as they approached green grass, sitting down in the flowers as he followed.
"We'll be able to breathe out here. Not consumed within the fires of Mordor."
Halbrand stared at her, pulling her close and leaning on her shoulder.
Oh how he loved her. She was so thoughtful, so caring. How he could have ever managed to get someone like her was beyond his comprehension. But he didn't question it. No no, he cherished the fact. Having such a kind being by his side calmed his racing mind and heart, as he did the same for her. Her love ran deep, deeper than Mount Doom. Even in his worst she still cared for him. They still suffered through the grief of their children. The first one, mauled by wolves. The second, shot by Orcs. They both felt at fault. If only they would've stayed closer... if only they would've told them to stay... if only...