The Light Between Our Scars | Adar x Galadriel | Rings of Power

Chapter 10: A new menace

"The darkness of Morgoth's Crown is more complex than you and Gil-Galad think" Adar said, frowning. "It took control of my body when we dismounted from the horse, and from that moment on I have only vague memories until Gil-Galad woke me up. I need to know if I said or did something that surprised you or that looked strange in that period of time".

Galadriel shook her head thoughtfully, "I can't remember anything in particular. I mean, you were in a lot of pain and...wait" her expression suddenly changed, nodding "there was something strange indeed. At some point you shouted, and your eyes were completely black. It was terrifying. Then you fell unconscious".

A fickler of worry appeared in Adar's eyes "And what were you saying, or doing, when it happened?".

She frowned "I think I was talking with Elrond about your situation...nothing in particular".

He firmly put his hands on her shoulders, a fire burning in his eyes. "It is very important that you remember, Galadriel. Think carefully: what were you doing when it happened? It must have been more than just a chat with Elrond".

The grip of Adar's hands was a little painful for Galadriel, but she didn't fear him. She knew he must have good reason to be so worried, so she tried to remember. "Oh... I think..." she looked at him, terrified "I think I was showing the Rings to Elrond" she whispered.

Adar stared at her, and she could almost feel the tension growing in his muscles. He released her shoulders, turned back, and placed a hand against the wall in exhaustion. "It is worse than I thought" he said.

Galadriel moved beside him, forcing him to look at her "Do you think...?". She couldn't believe the thought that just crossed her mind could be true. If so, it would mean...

Adar nodded wearily "Yes. Sauron has controlled my body through Morgoth's darkness for a time. I think after his "resurrection" he gained new and dangerous powers. In that moment he saw you with the Rings..."

"...And where we were" she finished the phrase for him, a note of horror in her voice.

"That's what I meant when I told you to not let him win. If you couldn't find a way to heal me, I didn't want to be controlled by Sauron, and I would prefer to die. But at that moment my mind couldn't function properly, and I wasn't sure about what was happening to me either" Adar concluded, defeated.

Galadriel put a trembling hand on her forehead, trying to contemplate what he had said. Sauron had seen the Nine Rings and knew where she was. That meant the Elven camp was in danger.

"Orcs!" The shout of the soldiers rang through the cave.

Adar and Galadriel looked at each other, petrified. "He's already here" Adar whispered.

They ran outside. From their vantage point, they could see the Elven camp below and a legion of Orcs approaching in the distance. They were at the edge of the forest, at the point where Adar had been healed - the place that Sauron had presumably seen through Adar's eyes.

"That's enough!" Galadriel shouted, setting off in the direction of the Orcs. Adar tried to follow her, but the soldiers forcefully stopped him, pushing him against a rock "You called them, Commander of the Orcs, didn't you?" one of them hissed in his ear "But you'll pay for this".

Galadriel drew her sword, running through the trees. She had to stop this before it was too late; she had to destroy Sauron once and for all now that she had the opportunity. The idea of the Elven camp being destroyed like Eregion made her blood boil.

She almost crashed into Belanor, who was running in the opposite direction. "Lady Galadriel! I have a message from Gil-Galad!".

She stopped, panting.