His Queen

Chapter 23 - Kitra

Her mind was consumed by a suffocating darkness. It had crept into her consciousness with just one light touch, mingling with the memories of Gandalf's fall and the overwhelming sense of despair that followed. She couldn't distinguish between reality and the afterlife, her body numb and disconnected from her mind. But then, a glimmer of light appeared in the distance, beckoning her forward with a pull she couldn't resist.

As she stumbled towards the distant light, her heart pounded against her ribcage like a caged animal. And as she drew closer, the source of the light came into view - a towering black structure with a pulsing red light at its peak. Intense fear gripped her as she stood frozen in place, unable to tear her gaze away from Sauron's watchful eye fixed upon her.

"Kitra..." His voice echoed through her mind, lulling her into a false sense of calm. She forced herself to take a step back, resisting the urge to surrender to his hypnotic power. Suddenly, a door swung open at the base of the tower and three figures emerged, their black robes billowing behind them. Kitra recognized the elf from before, but this time he was accompanied by two other hooded figures whose faces were hidden in shadows. One figure stood taller than the others, exuding an aura of malice that sent shivers down Kitra's spine. Her curiosity piqued at the smaller figure whose presence seemed out of place among the dark and ominous beings. With trembling hands and a racing heart, Kitra waited for what would happen next in this nightmarish encounter with Sauron's minions.

The elf's voice was soft and gentle as he approached the trembling child.

"Do not fear me, young one. I mean you no harm," he said, his tone soothing but met with skepticism by the girl.

"Why should I believe you? You took everything from me. My parents are dead because of you," she scoffed, taking another step back from him.

With two swift strides, the elf closed the distance between them and stood before her. His hand reached up to brush a scar on her cheek with cold, bony fingers. Up close, she could see the true form of this supposed creature of beauty. His skin was pale and decaying, his features sunken in and dark circles under his eyes like endless pits. He was closer to death than any living being she had ever seen.

"Did I truly take everything from you?" he questioned, glancing over his shoulder. Her gaze followed his and she saw two faces that would be forever etched in her memory - her parents, white as snow with eyes red as blood, standing there with no recognition of their daughter.

Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision as she whispered in disbelief, "What have you done?" Her heart ached at the sight before her - her mother's face, alive and standing in front of her. She had thought she perished in the fire that destroyed their home, but there she stood, her expression blank and her once bright eyes now empty and staring into the void.

"I gave them what they were promised: eternal protection from the coming war," Sauron smiled, his words sending shivers down her spine. He began to walk behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. Despite her attempts to pull away, his long fingernails dug into her skin, holding her in place. She felt no physical pain, only a numbing chill spreading through her body at his touch. She couldn't move or speak, her body frozen with no will of its own.

"Please...please let me go. I do not want this," she whimpered, tears streaming down her cheeks. Normally strong-willed and brave, the presence of this ancient being made her weak at the knees and want to hide away forever.

A low, menacing voice whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. "Don't worry," it said, "I cannot take you yet. This is but a dream." She felt a cool breath brush against her cheek and an icy hand wrap around hers.