Prologue:
It all began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves; immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven, to the Dwarf Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and the will to govern over each race. But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made.
In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret, a master ring, to control all others. And into this ring he poured all his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One ring to rule them all. One by one, the free peoples of Middle Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of men and elves marched against the armies of Mordor, and on the very slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. Victory was near, but the power of the ring could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father's sword. And Sauron, enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth, was defeated. . . or so it should have been.
Sauron, using the power of the ring, foresaw his downfall, and made another choice. While his armies fought on the fields of Mordor, he gathered his most powerful servants into the bowels of the Barad-dur. There, using nearly all his strength, Sauron took the foundation of his fortress and transported it to another realm. A different Earth entirely.
This is where our story begins.
"Clouds. Damn." grumbled Mark.
Today was not going to be good for business. As a ferryman, clear days where the best days, especially on the very touristy trip between England and Ireland, just passing the Isle of Man. Mark put on his cap and walked back aboard his little ship. 'Guess I'll just have to hope someone wants to go half way.' he thought. So, he gave his orders, and soon The Jackrabbit was fast on it's way to the Isle.
"Funny. I could'a bet me life there wasn't no hurricane comin' soon. But I'll be damned if that don't look just what it'll be!" said Mr. Jig, the first mate.
"True enough Mr. Jig, true enough. But I don't meddle in God or the Queen's affairs. Besides, there's no rain yet and that's reason enough for hope eh?" replied Ctp. Mark, trying to stay on the bright side.
"Sure, I s'pose so. But what troubles me is, them clouds is darker than ale and only over the Ilse sir. Right peculiar ain't it?"
"Hmmmm. Yes I do believe you're right Mr. Jig. Wonder what is happ'nen over there."
The answer came soon enough. As The Jackrabbit pulled into the dock, Ctp. Mark stepped out on deck to inspect the crew, he noticed everyone staring in the distance, toward the center of the island. For what they saw, was a castle, a fortress, whose spire rose a solid 3,000 feet straight into the sky. So far did rise that the very top could not be seen, as it rose into the huge, black clouds.
"Now that, I most certainly have not seen before." said Mark, still gazing in wonder.
But then came a voice, which chilled all the sailors blood.
"Yes. . .my master does not accept anything but the greatest for himself."
The whole ship turned to the voice. The sight was nearly as horrible as the voice. A figure, who sat on a half-dead looking horse, was clothed in fine, black robes and rusted armor. He wore a sort of crown, however it covered most of his head. Only his mouth was exposed. Huge, yellow and black teeth shown as the figure smiled sadistically. The mouth itself was cut and marked as if by design. It was truly nightmare inducing.
"Now. I require your services. You are a ferryman, no?" It asked, with all the genuine concern a hammer has to an insect.
"Ye-yesss-ss-ss sir. I am." replied Mark, trying not to vomit.
"Good. Then you will carry myself, my horse, and my escorts and their horses. Is the journey far?"
"NO! I mean, uh, no. It isn't. But it isn't cheap either, especially with the horses."
"Sauron the Great has no care or lack of money. Here. Take this and be satisfied, curr." and threw a bag of gold coins into Mark's hand.
Mark, after the initial shock of seeing that much gold, eagerly welcomed his new passengers aboard. There were five. The mouthy-man and four other. The others did not talk, and looked very sad. The sulked on their horses and none could see their faces, so swathed in black robes as they were. Yet, the crew did notice the menacing swords and gauntlets they wore, and the heavy, (and oddly pointy) metal boots they stomped around in. After about half a day of sailing (and vomiting) the ship finally pulled into London harbour. Mark quickly disposed of his "passengers" and sailed right back to Dublin.
The Mouth, along with his escort, rode through London. As he surveyed the city, he noticed a group of important looking men. Thinking they were men of some status, he rode to them. The first to speak was the police officer to the right.
"Bloody hell! You look you've had a bad run in with a sleeping bear!" he mocked.
The Mouth's escort was not pleased. The first rider moved for his sword, but The Mouth stopped him.
"Now. Gentlemen. Is that any way to address an Ambassador, on a diplomatic mission?"
The officers stopped laughing.
"Oh. I'm terribly sorry sir. Turely. Please forgive me. Here, let me clear a path to the Palace for you." said the officer, turning nine new shades of red.
The two clear a way right up to Buckingham Palace. The Royal Guards, however, would not be moved so easily.
"Do you have an appointment?" one asked.
"Sauron does not announce himself. Nor does he permit his servants to be harassed by peasants like you!" the Mouth responded, his voice filled with malice.
"I'm sorry sir, but you must make an appointment. The Queen is busy at the moment. The best I can do is send an urgent message to Her Majesty and you can hope she acknowledges it." the guard replied.
So the message was sent. And she did grant it, after hearing the gravity of insults the Mouth flung at everyone in sight until she did.
"Greetings. I am Queen Victoria. Sovereign of Britain and Empress of India. On what do we owe the. . .pleasure, of meeting you this day?" said Victoria, with as much grace and eloquence as she could muster.
"My master, Sauron the Great, thanks you graciously. I am here on my master's behalf. Sauron the Great does not often venture outside of his fortress. I am his Ambassador. The Mouth of Sauron. My mission is this. You are the Queen of this land. My master has recently. . .established himself on your island. This, Isle of Man. I am here to ensure this does not cause any illwill between our two kingdoms. Perhaps we could work out a deal?"
"I'm sorry, but did you say that he has 'established' himself? On the Isle of Man? I'm not sure I understand what you mean." replied Victoria.
"My master is a powerful sorcerer and can do great works of magic. He has taken his fortress and placed it on your island. Now it is ours. Compensation is in order I suppose. Name your price."
"I see. . .well. I regret to inform you that you do not have enough money to purchase the island. That would be around 25-" but she was cut off by the Mouth.
"10 carts of treasure." said the Mouth blankly.
"I'm sorry?" questioned Victoria, stunned.
"Fine. 20 cart loads of gold and jewels. That is my final offer."
"Twenty cart loads of gold and jewels? That would amount to. . . yes. Yes that is an acceptable offer." said Victoria, now cool and collected.
"Excellent. Sauron will be pleased. As a token of our friendship, my master bid me to give you this ring. It is very special. Crafted in the forges of the fortress. It will make the wearer appear more fair in the eyes of others. Take it, for you have earned it." smiled the Mouth.
"We thank you for this gift. But there is another matter at hand. You see, I would also like to send an ambassador to your lands. Will you accept this?"
"Hmmm. Yes, that is acceptable."
And with that, business was concluded. The Mouth left and returned to Barad-dur on another ferry.
At Phantomhive Manor
The Next Day. . .
"Young master, you have an urgent letter, from the Queen." came Sebastien's voice, in a light whisper.
Ciel, who was in bed, poked his head from under the covers to look at the clock. It read 5: 28. Grumbling some curse, he rose and took the letter. Reading carefully, his face changed from tired to horribly concerned.
"Sebastien, pack a bag. Get our coats and some money, now. I'll dress myself today." said Ciel, already searching in his closet.
"Yes, my lord." said Sebastien, and went out.
Less than fifteen minutes went by and they were out the door.
"May I ask what is happening sir?" asked Sebastien.
"It seems there is something very odd going on at the Isle of Man. A gigantic fortress just appeared out of nowhere and sent an Ambassador to Buckingham Palace, yesterday. They "bought" the island for, get this, "twenty cart loads of gold and jewels". The Queen is on high alert and is thus sending me on a mission to meet this new King."
"Hmm. Very interesting."
The ferry was not long, as they were given a Royal Navy ironclad frigate as a ferry ship, courtesy of Her Majesty. When they arrived, the first thing they noticed was the fortress. Still the black clouds lingered, only now the whole island and surrounding sea was encompassed in thick fog, but the fortress could be seen. A dark shape, rising up forever. Ciel and Sebastien rode to the gate, and immediately the fog cleared, as if it was blocked by some force field. Upon entering, they were greeted by The Mouth and two Black Riders.
"My master Sauron the Great bids thee welcome." said the Mouth in a sickening but suave tone.
"On behalf of the crown, he thank you for your hospitality. Will we meet the master soon?" Ciel asked, studying the face-er-mouth carefully.
"You shall meet him now. I must ask that your servant not attend however, but he may wait outside the door."
"That is fine. Sebastien, wait outside. I shall call you when I am ready."
Then, Ciel was lead up a long spire of stairs, to a library. In the far corner, a fire blazed. Near it sat an immense chair. The outline of a figure could just be made out. As Ciel approached, it rose up. It had to be at least 6'4". As Ciel rounded the chair, he greeted the man and offered to shake his hard.
"No. I am sorry. I do not touch others very much." came a voice, that seemed to be like many people talking at once.
"Ah. My apologies. I am Earl Ciel Phantomhive. Owner of Funtom Toy Company and servant to the Queen." said Ciel, being very stately.
"Ah, yes. I have read of you. What brings you to our. . .humble abode?" asked the figure, not sitting down.
It was the first time Ciel could really look at him, before he stood above the reach of the firelight. He now saw that it was not an old, withered man, but a boy! Or, what may have been a teenager, around the age of 20 or so. He was thin, and long-limbed. His skin was unnaturally pale. Dead looking, and the shadows under his eyes were deep and unsettling. But the worst thing was his eyes, or eye rather. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye. The opposite of Ciel. His right eye however, was the strangest color Ciel had ever seen. Orange, and red. It moved and changed, and the iris seemed to be wreathed in flame. The other noticeable thing, were the rings. He wore, two. One, on his right hand, a solid gold band with bright markings on it. The other, on his left pinkie, was silver with a diamond in the shape of a flower.
"Very lovely home you have sir." said Ciel, still staring into the fiery eye.
"Yes. It is great. Do you know, it took over 800 years to build? But it was worth it." replied Sauron, his voices now much, much deeper.
"Ah. Funny. I don't remember ever hearing about it before today." said Ciel.
"It was not constructed here, merely placed. You see, I come from another world, another time. I used my mastery of magic to transport my fortress here, so as to be sheltered. You see, I was under attack. I was hated in my own world, for things I did not do. "
"I'm sorry. So, you are a magician then huh? Would you show me a trick then?" asked Ciel, a little intrigued now.
"Hm hm hm. Yes. I shall show you my true form. I can see you. Into you. You have seen Darkness before, you shall again. So that when you go back to your little Queen and tell her all you have seen, she will know true power." said Sauron.
The, he slowly took off the ring on his left hand. After he set it down on the coffee table, the room darkened and began to shake. The fire diminished, but a new light replaced it. It came from Sauron. For now he human disguise melted away and gave forth to a new form. A great eye of fire. Ciel pressed back into his chair. Frozen with fear, he could not speak or even scream. The eye now stared at him and spoke. Now the voice was truly evil.
"You can not hide child. I SEE YOU. I see everything. Now you will see. Look. Look into the Void." it whispered.
"NO! HELP! SEBASTIEN!" Ciel screamed with all his might.
Then, bursting through the library doors, Sebastien turned to help his master. But as crouched near him, he made an almost fatal mistake. Sebastien looked to the eye.
"You. You are not as the boy is. Darkness dwells in your very soul. But not as this. Be hold. The Void." it called.
Sebatien dropped like a ragdoll; eyes dilated to almost complete black. Ciel was alone. Yet, as suddenly as it started, it stopped, and Sauron returned to his human form.
"Now that I have made myself known to you, go and tell your Queen. Tell her what you saw, what you heard. What I did to your butler. Then tell her, that if she wishes to remain a Queen, she will obey me! Now get out, swine." and with a motion of his hand, he flung Ciel and Sebatien out into the hall. When Ciel awoke next. . .he was
