His Corrupted Soul [Witch-King x OC]

Chapter IX : The Black Gate of Mordor

"No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly." -J.R.R. Tolkien

-----

|SOUNDTRACK|

The Mouth of Sauron - Return of the King Soundtrack

-----

A week later found Inconnu sitting astride Sverundr, dressed in her armor and its hood was down. She had tamed her hair into a braid held together by a leather cord and it rested over her shoulder. Sverunder himself was again in the same armor he wore during the siege and the battle that had occurred at the Pelennor Fields. The large stallion shifted a little as he stood there, intelligent brown eyes watching the black-colored and menacing gate before them. Inconnu's expression was grim, shared by her beloved as well.

Er-Murazor was again in his armor, and it had been changed only slightly from what it once was. The finely made black robe was cast aside in favor of an equally dark mantle. It was plain, matte and it draped from his pauldrons and across the flank of the black stallion he had been given to ride. His crowned helm rested in the crook of his right arm, his left hand gripping the reins of his stallion lightly. Er-Murazor's long black hair was loose, several strands blowing the soft breeze that fell over the combined armies of Gondor and Rohan.

Next to them were all that remained of the Fellowship, only three members missing: Boromir, who was gone from this world, and Frodo and Sam who traveled with the One Ring to Mordor.

Before them was the Black Gate of Mordor, the foremost entrance into the Black Lands beyond. Both Inconnu and Er-Murazor could sense the darkness keenly, and they gave each other a reassuring glance. As long as they were together, the could face it.

"Where are they?" Pippin then spoke up, and those present were wondering the same of Frodo and Sam. None knew if they had made it to Mount Doom, or if they were close to its slopes. Aragorn looked at the Hobbit for a moment, worry crossing his face as well before it faded as he returned his gaze to the Black Gate. With a nudge of his heel, his horse started forward and without needing acknowledgment all went forth as well as Eomer, the rider of Rohan Inconnu and Er-Murazor had met properly during the march to get here. Merry sat behind him, leaning to the left far enough so he could see. Pippin rode with Gandalf, sitting in the front, and Gimli was behind Legolas.

All together, they approached the Black Gate and stopped only a few yards away. They were lined up, and all braced themselves for what was to come.

"Let the Lord of the Black Lands come forth!" Aragorn shouted, making himself heard to whatever was beyond the iron gate. "Let justice be done upon him!"

Another series of tense moments passed in silence, and then there was the creaking of the gate. It opened wide enough to allow a single rider through, and at the sight of who it was made the former Witch-King grimace in disdain.

The Mouth of Sauron had come, acting as an emissary from Sauron.

Er-Murazor was not the only one with such a reaction as the Mouth approached them, some of the others having varying degrees of disgust on their faces. The Mouth stopped not too far from them, only two yards or so. Close enough to speak without the need for shouting.

"My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome." The servant of Sauron grinned, showing his blackened teeth. "Is there any in the rout with authority to treat with me?"

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed!" Gandalf retorted, making the grin of the Mouth falter. "Tell your master this: the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return!"