Chapter I
Saruman's Prize
Saruman sat in his study with his desk littered with war plans, dusty books, and sunlight streaming in through the windows. He held his head in his hands, suffering from a very persistent headache. He was growing impatient waiting for the Uruk-Hai to return, hopefully with what would prove to be his salvation. There was a knock on the door.
"Enter," the wizard commanded, and a short, bow-legged Orc shambled into the room.
"The raiding party has returned, my lord," said the Orc in a raspy voice.
Suddenly, Saruman's head felt much better. "Good. Bring them in."
The Orc bowed and left the study. Saruman couldn't believe that he was finally about to take the Enemy's weapon. All his research, all the ancient books about the crafting of the Rings of Power, they had all led to this.
Saruman got up from his desk and went downstairs to the entrance hall, where the Orc servant had opened the doors for the Uruk-Hai search party. The large, well-armed and armored black orcs had with them four small Halflings, the same ones that Gandalf had led on their journey before Saruman had driven them into Moria.
"Now," said Saruman. "Is there something you would like to give me?"
The hobbits exchanged worried glances, but none answered. Either they were too frightened to speak, or they were bold enough to foolishly believe that defiant silence would keep Saruman from the Ring.
"Answer, scum!" bellowed the Uruk-Hai captain. "He asked you a question!"
"Do not think that I do not know what you carry," said Saruman. "Is it really worth it to resist me any longer? You have come all this way, and here you are. Gandalf has failed, and your fellowship is broken. You have been thwarted. No matter what you choose to do here, I have won. I am giving you the opportunity to make my victory as painless for you as possible, if only you would cooperate."
One of the Halflings backed away slightly, his hand clutched close to his chest.
"That one," said Saruman as he pointed at the Halfling, and one of the Uruk-Hai grabbed the Halfling's arm and began to search him.
"Don't you touch Mister Frodo!" shouted another, stockier Halfling as he attempted to pounce on the Uruk before being roughly restrained by the captain.
The Halfling apparently known as Frodo was violently thrown to the ground while his companions could only watch, unable to help, their struggles entirely futile. Saruman noticed a chain around the Halfling's neck that was previously hidden beneath his shirt. Saruman reached down and lifted Frodo by the throat, his fingers digging into his neck, ignoring the small Halfling's cries of pain. There, hanging from the chain, was a golden ring. Saruman felt drawn to it, and he knew that it was the One Ring. The wizard grabbed the Ring, breaking the chain in doing so, and dropped the Halfling to the smooth, black stone floor, clutching his aching throat.
"You have done well, my fighting Uruk-Hai," said Saruman. "Take the prisoners down to the dungeon. I suspect that we'll be receiving visitors sometime in the near future, and the Halflings will prove to be valuable leverage."
The Uruk-Hai obeyed and took the Halflings down to the dungeon. Saruman went upstairs to the Palantír chamber and sat down upon his great black throne. He held up the Ring in triumph and took a closer look at it. Even without putting it on, he could feel the Ring's might. It was a mysterious power, yet it was also familiar. He had seen Sauron's full power firsthand back in the mansions of Aulë in Valinor, where he and Sauron had been pupils under the blacksmith of the Valar. He never imagined how good it would feel to now hold the ultimate accumulation of Sauron's strength, and now he was about to use Sauron's own weapon against him.
Saruman stood up from his throne and looked into the Palantír. He cast his gaze far to the east where Mordor lay. He looked upon Barad-dûr with wrath burning in his heart and one thought in his mind: revenge.
Author's note: So yeah, first chapter. This is definitely the shortest chapter I've ever written. I have no idea if that's a bad thing. I was going to keep going, but I thought that this particular scene was over, and further content would fit better in another chapter. I have no idea if all of the chapters will be this short, but we'll find out.
I've mentioned this fanfic in a couple of author's notes in my other ongoing fic, so here I am delivering on those statements. I've also talked about an Ico or Shadow of the Colossus fic, which I am still doing, but I have no clue when that's going to be posted. Actually, after thinking about it some more, I think it's going to be two fics: one for Ico, and one for Shadow of the Colossus. No need to limit myself to just one.