Sauron and the Ringwraiths (a love story)

Chapter 1

As dawn glimmered over the Shire, a cloaked and hooded figure fled south.  Spurring his mount onwards, he rode tirelessly, heeding the summons of his master.  Night and day he rode.  Soon, too soon, the Black Tower came into view, and he checked his pace.  This was not a meeting he looked forward to – he had failed in his mission and a confrontation was brewing.

He entered the fortress gates at a walk, his horse foaming with exertion.  Throwing the reins to a waiting sycophant, he dismounted from the trembling beast and gazed up at the Tower pinnacle.  His fate, one way or another would be sealed in the uppermost chamber.  It was best to be over quickly.  He pushed his way through the crowded forecourt to the main portcullis and strode along bustling corridors.  His mailed feet rang on stone.

As he climbed, the halls emptied until, seventy-six floors later, he stood alone before a pair of studded oak doors.  He paused, and then threw them wide.  The chamber beyond appeared almost empty, save an overwhelming presence of disembodied malice, which drew itself together to form a single large, red, Eye.

"I see you're empty-handed again, Bob."  The voice echoed around the hollow room.

The visitor threw back his hood to reveal… nothing.  He was a Wraith, given form in the daylight by the voluminous folds of black cloth around him.  "Not for want of trying," he replied.  "It's not exactly easy to catch a hobbit in this disguise…"

"Easier than a big, flaming Eye, I'll bet."

Bob smiled and ran an invisible hand through his unseen hair.  "Have you tried Visine?" he laughed.

"I mean, you, Bob, at least have presence, with the cloak and mail and all – how scary is an eyeball really?

I'm depressed, Bob.  I can't even catch a Hobbit!"

Bob cocked an eyebrow.  After an Age with Sauron, this was something new.  "Isn't Hobbit-catching my job?" he asked mildly.

"My dear Witchking, I grow tired of an Age of plotting the downfall of my enemies.  I crave the adventure of the old days!"

"You had a body in the old days."

"That's what the Balrog says too," mourned the Eye.

"Balrog?"  Bob's voice sharpened.  "You told me you'd ended it with the Balrog."

"Oh, well, we still keep in touch occasionally," replied the Eye vaguely.

Bob looked doubtful.  "Don't lie to me, Sauron," he warned.

"Would I do that?"

"Yes."

Sauron laughed.  "Well, it's nice to see I have the trust and support of my staff behind me…!"

"Support?" scoffed Bob.  "I've had it with supporting you!  I have done everything for you and what do I get in return?  Orders.  'Do this', 'Kill that', 'Frighten the willies out of the other'!  I'm starting to think moving in with you was a bad idea!"  Bob began to pace the lengths of the chamber.

"You'd go back to the Spider?" the voice was malicious.

Bob paused and stared at the Eye.  "The Shelob incident was a mistake, and I'll thank you not to mention it."

"Whatever for?" Sauron purred.  "Surely there's no harm in admitting one's mistakes?"

"What about that Wizard?" Bob shot back, resuming his pacing.

The Eye blinked.  "Yes, well, that didn't quite work to plan…" he mused.

The room fell silent, each lost in his own thoughts.  Bob was the first to break the silence.  "Where do you see us?" he queried.

"What?"

"You heard.  Is there any future for us?  You keep denying there's anything between is, that it's no more than a business relationship…"

"What do you want from me, Bob?" asked Sauron softly.

"Recognition," Bob fumed and stormed out.