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

Chapter 11: A star shines upon us

In the King's tent everyone was astonished. Elrond said "I can't believe Belanor, an elf, could have betrayed us and deceived Galadriel in this way. There must be an explanation".

Arondir, who had reached the camp still covered by sweat and Orcs blood, snorted, giving Gil-Galad a significant look.

The King looked at Galadriel; she appeared completely devastated, but there wasn't a nice way to say it. "Galadriel, how did the Orcs know where to find us? We must consider the possibility that Adar isn't a friend, after all. He hasn't given us anything helpful yet, and after one day with us, we have the Orcs near our home, and we lose the Nine Rings...".

Galadriel didn't say anything. The guilt and shame was too much for her. She had no strength to defend Adar anymore. Moreover, even if he didn't voluntarily want it, he was in fact the instrument that allowed Sauron to know about the rings and where they were. A deep feeling of impotence pervaded her body and soul.

Cirdan intervened "I suggest going to ask him directly. I want to meet the Commander of the Orcs, look him in the eyes, and see for myself what kind of Elf or Orc he is".

The others agreed. "Yes, I want to meet him too" Arondir said coldly.

When they arrived near the cave, the soldiers brought Adar out of the cave, bound. He looked tired, but not defeated. Galadriel felt a sudden desire to run beside him and tell him that she lost the Rings, that she had shown herself to be unworthy of Celebrimbor's trust. She knew he would understand her, because he knew what failure looked like.

"Commander of the Orcs" Gil-Galad called him "Are you responsible for this attack?".

Adar slowly shook his head, squeezing his eyes in the sudden light "Not...voluntarily".

"What does this mean?" Cirdan asked.

"For a brief moment, before you healed me, Sauron controlled my body through Morgoth's darkness and saw Galadriel and the Rings. It was he who sent the Orcs and will presumably try to take the Rings from her. You have to protect her, I mean... the Rings!".

Galadriel lowered her head. Adar noticed her gesture "Did he already...?" he whispered to her.

Galadriel raised her look, shame and tears in her eyes. She nodded, swallowing. The look she shot him was breathtaking, and every cell in his body felt the need to hug her and comfort her. But he was bound, and the others were staring at them.

Adar turned again to Gil-Galad "I have no interest in the Rings, not anymore. I am not in agreement with Sauron; I've been fighting him for an age. My children..." he swallowed "the Orcs, are not under my power anymore. They've been reclaimed by Sauron and follow his commands".

Gil-Galad raised an eyebrow, then looked at Cirdan interrogatively, who said "He seems sincere".

Tired of the others' condescension, Arondir jumped on Adar, pointing an arrow at his throat, a fire of anger and vengeance burning in his eyes.

Galadriel shouted "Arondir!".

The Elf ignored her and hissed, strangling him with his free hand "Morgoth's darkness is still in him; how could we be sure he's not talking for Sauron??".

"When Sauron was in him, his eyes were totally black, and darkness completely consumed him" Elrond intervened, taking Arondir's arm "I was there when it happened. Now he appears different and looks like he is strong enough to control that darkness".

Arondir was shaking, his face hard as a rock. "You better be right, Elrond". He withdrew his arrow and let Adar go. The Uruk coughed, surprised by the unexpected defense from Elrond.