Aria the Black (Book 2 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 33: Sauron

Aria's eyes fluttered open as she regained consciousness, taking in her surroundings. She tried to rub her head to ease the pounding sensation in her temples, but found that her hands were tied. The pain in her leg was also troublesome; the gash that the first Orc had given her was surely infected. Groaning at her throbbing leg and her current situation, her mother's blue eyes searched frantically for any way out of her prison.

Even 'prison' was an understatement. Aria was in a completely stone room, without any windows or any furniture inside. A wooden door was on the other side of her, out of reach. She could tell that she was being guarded because of the numerous growls echoing outside- Orcs. It was almost entirely enveloped in darkness, besides from one torch outside that she could see through the door's cracks. She was chained to the wall with black manacles, which were so heavy that she could hardly lift them. They also had some sort of spell on them, she assumed, since she physically and mentally felt drained. After trying to break free several times, using both her magic and her strength, she knew it was no use. She was trapped.

Hours and hours passed by as Aria dozed in and out of consciousness. Since she had no idea how long she had slept for, or what time she was originally taken, she had no idea how long she had been in the cell. The only way she kept track of time was the guard changes- every six hours. The time wore on, and at this point, Aria was almost begging for someone to come to her, to tell her why she was here. It was no doubt Sauron's doing, and hence, the consequences would be no less than grave.

Finally, after five guard changes, the door opened. She was hardly strong enough to lift her head, her eyes glassy with exhaustion. Whatever curse that laid atop the manacles was draining her. She could feel her magic leaving her, slowly, but there was also another sensation that she could not place. It scared her, almost as much as the figure standing in the doorway.

"Awaken!" The Orc barked in Black Speech, and Aria made a desperate effort to translate it. Hers was a little out of date, and in her current weakened state, it was even more difficult for her to do so. "He will see you now."

And then, the very spirit the Fellowship was working so hard to destroy stood before her. All she could see was darkness, yet the dim light radiating from the hall behind him gave the darkness an outline of his figure. His silhouette alone was enough to identify him, for his immense height and lofty crown was a dead giveaway. Lord Sauron himself stood before her, his black robes illustrating his immense purpose and eerie grace.

"Welcome, my child. The hour is upon us from which I have finally found you."

"Do not call me that." Aria boldly replied, although in reality, she was quaking with fear. If there was one thing the dwarven princess would not loose, it was her pride. And if there was one thing she would not give Sauron, it was the satisfaction of knowing how scared she truly was.

But the evil spawn simply laughed, cackling at her response. "So brave. Only you would have such resistance to a force like myself, Aria. The honored princess, a loving and fierce friend. But haven't you earned a new title for yourself, my dear? Middle Earth will soon know you by this name... Aria the Black."

"No! I will never give my allegiance to you, Sauron." He recoiled at the use of his name, especially in such a menacing tone like hers. "I am good, and will always be such. You will never win. Middle Earth goes to war as we speak. Soon, your Orc legions will be destroyed."

"But will I be destroyed? Do not take me for a fool, Aria. I know better. You will not win, because as long as I breathe, my Orcs will thrive with my power. You must know of what I speak, my dear. As the Hobbit grows near with the Ring, my forces scout his every move. And once we have him, we will be unstoppable... now that we have you."