-General-
Sauron's deep, dark gaze bore into the tiny illusory figure lying at the foot of his tower. It was not real but a projection conjured by the connection of his dark magic, rooted deep within Mirkwood.
That specter was unfamiliar to him, yet something in its essence gave him a clue. He did not attack nor show surprise, he was a being who craved dominion and absolute control. Losing his composure would go against his principles. Still, that did not stop him from scrutinizing the ethereal image before him.
Sauron fixed his eyes on the apparition's honey-colored irises, bright and filled with an indifference that felt eerily familiar. Yes, there they were… those hateful eyes, the same ones that had once defied him. How could he forget them? The mere memory rekindled his fury, making his overwhelming presence surge, a crushing weight meant to subdue the small figure.
But, just like that elf before, it resisted.
Now, all the pieces fit: the color of the eyes, the essence it emanated, and above all… the unyielding defiance of refusing to kneel before him.
"The offspring of Tindómiel," he murmured, his thunderous, hollow voice devoid of emotion. "I have waited a long time to find you… and now I know where you are." His dark eyes gleamed.
"You were looking for me?" Aldril tilted his head, smiling as if Sauron's words were a joke. His draconic blood pulsed with challenge. "Since when do those who cower in Mordor have the courage to come searching for me? Don't make me laugh."
Aldril's scorn did not provoke a reaction in Sauron. On the contrary, it only fueled the dark mass that descended from the tower. In the span of a single breath, Sauron's figure vanished, only to reemerge within the mist that coiled around the tower's base.
"Why would I seek you out in person?" Sauron said, his voice now sounding more human, less hollow. "Has your mixed blood made you arrogant? It does not matter, your elven and human heritage will change nothing. You will die."
His majestic dark form rose with grandeur, the swirling mist around him seeming almost alive as it coalesced into a towering humanoid shape. His sheer size dwarfed Aldril. Yet, despite Sauron's imposing figure, Aldril did not falter. Instead, he lifted his gaze and met the Dark Lord's challenge.
"Is that so?" Aldril said. "In that case, I will be the one to seek you out. And when the time comes, I will finish what my mother started."
He pointed to the pale scar on Sauron's chest, and with those words, his illusory figure dissipated, the dark magic Sauron had cast had already been purified and absorbed into his body.
Little by little, Aldril's image faded into the mist, leaving only Sauron's piercing gaze behind. The Dark Lord remained silent. Once again, he had been defied… but this time, the challenger seemed insignificant.
In his arrogance, he did not take it seriously. After all, that hybrid did not possess the strength of that elf. But that same arrogance blinded him to the truth: Aldril was growing stronger. Sooner or later, he would match, or even surpass—Tindómiel.
---
Aldril took a deep breath, inhaling the purity of the air now free from Sauron's dark magic. He could feel the river flowing at his feet, the thick miasma had vanished. As he opened his eyes, he was met with a strange sight, dozens of spiders, pierced by roots, forming a small forest of lifeless husks.
'What the hell happened?' he thought, glancing around until his gaze landed on Thalwen, Finduilas, and Tauriel. They were looking at him with concern, though that worry faded the moment their eyes met.
With a movement as delicate as a falling petal, Tauriel lunged toward him, her warm, gentle hands cupping his face with urgency.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laden with worry.
Aldril smiled calmly. "Yes, just a minor inconvenience."
His response seemed to ease Tauriel and Finduilas, who nodded in relief. But Thalwen was not so easily deceived. She remained silent, watching him with sharp insight. She needed no words to understand what had happened. Aldril chose not to mention it to keep them from worrying, but as an elf with a deep mastery of magic, she had already sensed the change in him.
Sauron's dark magic, the accursed force that should have corrupted anyone who dared to absorb it, had not harmed him.
On the contrary, it had made him stronger.
Aldril felt Thalwen's gaze on him and cast her a quick glance. A simple nod was enough for both of them to understand that they would talk later; after all, they would have at least half a day to discuss it.
With a sharp clap, Thalwen drew everyone's attention. The elves gathered swiftly and in complete silence, moving with the grace characteristic of their race. There were at least fifty of them, each dressed in light tunics in shades of green and brown, adapted for hunting and warfare in the forests. Some carried finely carved bows, with quivers full of arrows fletched with hawk feathers, while others bore slender-bladed swords and daggers hidden within their garments.
Thalwen scanned them, ensuring they were all ready before she spoke.
"Very well, the task of purifying the river will have to wait." Thalwen's voice, firm and magnetic, resonated among the gathered elves. "Your king and my husband, Thranduil, will march toward Dol Guldur, his former home. Along with Lady Galadriel's elves, they will offer us their support. We will rid this forest of evil once and for all! We will reclaim what is ours!"
As soon as her speech ended, a resounding ovation followed. Though elves were naturally reserved, the thought of reclaiming their lost home filled them with a deep, reverberating emotion that bubbled in their chests. How many years had passed since they had been forced to retreat? If not for the fear of Smaug's attack, they would have defended the forest with their lives.
"Rest well, for we march at dawn!" Thalwen ordered. It was already late, and soon the stars would shine while the moon took the sun's place. They did not fear resting in the forest, for its purification had driven away all the ravenous spiders. Despite their hunger, they were not foolish enough to attack such a sacred place.
The elves set to work, pitching Thalwen's tent, and beside it stood those of Tauriel, Aldril, and Finduilas. With some reluctance, the latter two did not sleep next to Aldril, particularly because their relationship had not yet been established.
---
Night fell, bringing with it the soft murmur of leaves vibrant with life, delighting in their newfound greenery and eagerly absorbing the river's purity.
Inside Thalwen's tent, Aldril sat across from the elf, whose beauty was rivaled only by her lethality in battle.
"So, tell me, Aldril, what did you see?" Thalwen asked, calmly sipping her apple juice.
"I came face to face with Sauron."
The words made Thalwen raise an eyebrow. With elegance, she placed her glass on the table between them.
"That makes sense," she replied, resting her chin on her hand in a thoughtful gesture. "When magic is extracted, there is a brief connection with its host. Since you have been in greater contact with Sauron's dark magic, you projected yourself toward him."
"Tell me, did he try anything against you?"
"No, he only threatened me with death," Aldril answered calmly.
"Oh yes, he did the same with your mother." Leaning forward slightly, Thalwen's voice took on a more serious tone. "So, Aldril, would you like to hear a story about your mother and Sauron?"
***
Filthy orcs!! I have neglected them a lot.
Here is your chapter of the day and who knows, if you give more than 200 stones there may be a second chapter.
"[email protected]/Mrnevercry"