Decision of the Heart
Chapter 1: Default Chapter
Disclaimer: Do I really have to put this? OK, so far I only own Annawen. Just about everything else belongs to the almighty Tolkien. I don't know if the guards belong to me. Probably not but just tell me.
A/N: This idea just popped into my head one day and I decided to write it. Tell me how you like it thus far and maybe I'll continue. Keep the flames in the sandbox please.
She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck. She flinched when his bony fingers caressed her skin. She could do nothing; she was frozen on the spot.
"You do not want to anger your lord now do you?" the orc who had been sent to retrieve her asked.
She spit in his face.
"That will get you another two weeks in here!" he screamed and slammed her cell door while he wiped off her saliva from his face.
Annawen slumped on the ground. She had been in the same cell for nearly a year now. But it hadn't always been like this.
Four years ago her village was attacked by orcs. She fought to defend her home but was captured soon after slaying many of the villains. They brought her here, Mordor.
For two years she was put in a cell along with five other captured elves. The others were called by one of the servants and never returned. Annawen had worked as a servant for a year, disobeyed a rule, and was sent back to her cell.
One servant came back and told her she had a job to do requested by Lord Sauron. She refused. Everyday a new person came back and asked her the same question and each day she refused.
"You think they would have gotten the hint by now."
The following day the same servant returned and asked the same question yet again. Before she had time to spit at him, he dragged her out of the cell.
"Your lord has requested that you join him for a little meeting."
"He is not my lord. I refuse to be in his presence! Unhand me!" She kicked at him but he never released his grip on her wrist.
He took her to a large, open room. It was dark, and had but one chair inside. There was only one door which the orc quietly slipped out of and locked.
"Great," she thought. "I'm locked inside the throne room to be forced into one of his evil schemes."
Annawen didn't have to wait long before the throne room door opened. Another orc entered and calmly walked towards her.
"You have been selected by Lord Sauron to complete this task set before you," he began. "You are to follow a group of men, a wizard, a dwarf, and an elf. They carry something of great importance. You are to kill the bearer of this object and the elf which accompanies him. When you have completed this task you return to Mordor immediately. You will be closely watched so do not attempt to runaway. For if you do, you will be hunted and slain."
"I refuse to do this!" Annawen screamed.
"Whither you chose to or not you will complete this task." He motioned for two of the guards to come over. "Please escort her back to her cell."
They grabbed hold of her and attempted to drag her away. "You will never win! I shan't do his dirty work for him!" she yelled as she tried to wriggle free from the guardsman's grasp.
***
"Are you prepared to depart?" a guard asked Annawen from the other side of the bars.
"No. I'm not going to do this."
"Allow me to change your mind," he sneered with an evil grin and opened the cell door. He walked up to her and slapped her face. "Now, are you ready to leave?"
She held her face where it was already starting to bruise and glared up at him. "No."
"You will soon regret your choice." He smiled and drew his club.
Annawen's eyes grew wide with fright. After two nasty blows to the head, she was out cold.
***
A few hours later Annawen awoke. Blood ran down the side of her head and her cheek was puffy and sore from where the orc had hit her. Her blond tresses were matted and streaked with dried blood. Her smooth elven complexion was lost due to many little cuts and bruises.
Soon after the guard walked back in. "Have you reconsidered your choice?" She was silent. "Speak she-elf!"
"Yes," Annawen said quietly.
"Good. Come, for we have much to do."
Annawen followed wordlessly as he led her into another room. He gave her a set of clothes, a pack filled with food and drink, and a map.
"You will follow this trail until you meet with the fellowship," he said pointing at the map with a long finger. "Once you meet with them you will pose as a lost elf that was attacked by orcs in the night. You will gain their trust first and then slay the two. Once your task is completed, return to Mordor. If you succeed, you will be granted your freedom."
"I agree."
"Good. A guard will escort you as far as the Black Gate. From there on you will follow the map."
An orc was called over and walked Annawen to the gate. The gate closed behind her. She was alone.
"I suppose I should start on my way." She adjusted her pack and followed the path which was laid out on her map.
A/N: Should I continue with this fic? It's up to you guys whether or not. Because if nobody reviews this without flaming, I'm not even going to bother. So give me some feedback people! And remember, don't flame it. I see no point in flaming because I can and will delete it. So with that said push the little purple/blue button in the lower left hand corner and give me your opinion. Thanx!
~Tap-dancing Hobbit