The Star of the Fae

Chapter Two

An hour later Aeowae was in a place she never desired to see or be in.

Mordor.

It was even worse than she had imagined.

There was ash everywhere and she coughed as she was carried through scorched trees and ash covered ground.

They had put her in some sort of carriage which offered little protection or privacy, made of planks, really, and was pulled by a pair of hideous orcs.

Finally, they reached what seemed to be the center of the orc lord's domain, she thought, glancing at him through the planks.

He walked along beside the conveyance, surveying everything around him calmly,  astutely, offering instruction as they went.

How anyone could like such a barren place she had no idea.

Nor desired to.

Suddenly there was what looked like a large camp, dark tent flaps flying.

Before she knew it, the conveyance stopped in the middle of what appeared to be a courtyard.

With a jolt her conveyance was set on the ground and Aeowae had to reach out both hands to steady herself.

Barely had she when one of the orcs wrenched the door opened.

But the creature soon stepped out of her way as it's lord and master filled the space.

To her surprise, he held his hand out to her.

She took it as steps appeared.

And she stepped down and down.

Into hell, she was sure.

Once firmly on ground, he again took her arm and began leading her wordlessly through the courtyard.

They passed what looked like a throne made of planks, parts of a tree, and weapons.

And a black flag with a symbol.

Their symbol, she realized.

He then led her under the tent flaps a little off to the side.

Under the tent flaps was a table and chairs.

Almost like a real home, she thought, the tent large, spacious, and well-appointed, though the appointments were dark and crude.

She stood as he let her go and watched as he took a seat at the head of the table.

"I am sure this is not quite what you are used to, Your Highness." He told her.

When she continued to stand and glare at him, he gestured, "Please, take a seat. You are a guest."

She did so as he spoke to one of his orcs, making it clear by her body language that she would rather be seated with a snake.

"I assume the Fae eat what the Elves do." He then said.

"No meat." She told him between gritted teeth, unable to believe they were talking about her diet when he had kidnapped her. "Only fruit and vegetables. Nuts and grapes."

He nodded toward the orc and the creature scurried away.

"If you have no interest in the Star," she finally said, getting right down to business. "You must intend to hold me for political reasons."

He sat back in the seat and studied her.

"Correct." He told her. "Your father, High King Gil Galad, is forming troops against me."

"And if I am your prisoner he cannot." She finished for him.

He nodded.

She relaxed her hands, which had been curled into fists.