Melkor smiled to himself, alone in the bowls of Angband. The girl had gall. Marching into his fortress, in through the main gates, and facing him. Singing his host to sleep, and meeting his eyes to barter for what she wanted. And before that, well, he had heard stories. Her reputation preceded her. She was more than what he had guessed though. Not just some lovesick maiden. No. She had all of the power of her mother, but with a cunning mind and an ambition all her own. In short, she was dangerous. And he liked that. She had seemed to understand more of his inner mind then many had in a long passage of years. And she would be queen, that was her wish it seemed. What dangerous game was she playing? He smiled at the idea. He was fairly certain he intended to follow through, and actually take her as a consort. What a strange idea. Mairon would not be pleased. But then again, Mairon was often displeased, and Melkor had found that their love making was the best at those times. Heh, he would hate this girl though. After all, she had defeated him, pinned him beneath her boot and sent him fleeing.
Seduce me,she had said. He had not seduced anyone for a long time. Not since Mairon. And that had been easy. He had been so willing, so curious Well, maybe not willing. But he had been an easy field in which to plant the seeds of discontent, and his fall had been one glorious to watch. This girl, he wondered what would seduce her. To his surprise, he found himself looking forward to trying.
Xxxxxxxx
Luthien was deep in the realms of sleep, her mind drifting upon the fields of rest. She had always enjoyed sleep, even over the meditation most of her people seemed to prefer. For the last few hours she had been in darkness, no dreams to disturb her slumber, but now she found herself walking alone through an endless plain of mist unable to see anything around her. She rolled over in bed, enjoying the soft sensation, unwilling to wake up.
"What a strange dream." She reached out to touch the mist. It was strange, thick and clinging, forming shapes which she could not quite discern. The silence was deafening. Suddenly she felt one of the frigid tendrils of mist brush her face, eerily similar to a hand. She turned with a start, and found herself met with naught but the swirling mist, shimmering around her. But again she felt a cold hand on her arm. Instead of starting this time, she held still, waiting. The hand which was resting on her arm seemed to solidify, forming into a solid entity, growing to include an arm, which slid around her waist and pulled her against a currently invisible form which seemed to be standing behind her. She shivered, the unnatural cold seeping into her bones. Another hand formed, moving to wrap around her, and she heard a rush of air, felt the presence behind her fully enter into being. She closed her eyes, breathing deep.
"Lord Morgoth."
"My lady Luthien." His voice was directly in her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
"How kind of you to interrupt my pleasant dreams. I had no idea that ability was in your arsenal."
"In my home there is little I cannot do. And I would hope that I am the one who makes your dreams pleasant." His lips where resting against her neck, and she felt his smirk against her skin.
"Dreams are Irmo's area no?"
"Oh, the dreams he delivers are no fun. I feel I have much more to show." His breath sent shivers up her spine. She felt his hand move up her arm, sliding under her dress and moving down. She twisted her head to meet his eyes, and was surprised to find that he was changed in appearance. He was beautiful, strikingly so, indescribable. In short, he was as he must have been before he fell. The smile he gave her was dazzling and entirely disconcerting, frightening to behold
"Surprised little queen? In dreams I am not trapped in one form." His hands had both slid under her dress now, resting on her hips, one finger twirling patterns downwards on her skin. She felt the hair on her arms rise, and breathed in sharply.
"What a surprise."
"Isn't it though?" Again his lips rested on her neck, sliding down to find her shoulder. She had a distinct feeling that she knew where his hands were going to end up. The idea was strangely tempting, and to her surprise and annoyance, she found herself faltering, wanting to let this lead where it would. But she shook herself and pulled away.
"You are good at this Lord Morgoth, more so than I would have thought. But I do not think I'll allow myself to be seduced in dreams. Now goodnight." With a rush of intense focus she forced the mist to fall away, the darkness to return. And as suddenly as it had begun the dream was over.
Melkor stood there a long moment, a smile growing on his face.
"Hmm"
xxxxxxx
Luthien awoke the next morning with a splitting headache and a dry mouth. She rolled slowly out of the huge bed, shivering. How could a place brimming with fire be so cold? She supposed there was ice as well, shining out on some of the mountains against all reason. This place defied any logic. She wrapped her arms around herself, the sheer red night dress was not nearly warm enough. Why did her head hurt?
"I'm starved." She lifted a soft scarlet blanket off of the bed, which seemed to have an endless supply, and wrapped it around her shoulders, enjoying the warmth that enveloped her. She wandered absently across the room, towards the door. Morgoth had said that people were often lost in the madness of Angband, but she didn't feel like waiting in her room until he saw fit to appear again. She turned the knob and pushed. The door was heavy, ridiculously so, but eventually she managed to push it open, walking hesitantly out into the mad twisting passages of Angband. She could go one of two directions, and so she opted to simply go by instinct, setting off down the hall.
Within a few moments she was regretting this action. The maddening twists and turns, the light reflecting off of walls twining like entrails, the constant deep thrum surrounding her, and the occasional shout, cry, or mysterious noise appearing from nowhere. And she had no idea where she was. To make it worse, the temperature frequently changed, going from freezing to boiling within moments. She should have worn shoes.
"Lost?"
"A little." She didn't start this time, simply turned calmly and leaned back against the wall, meeting Morgoth's eyes and trying to look unconcerned. She was briefly startled to see him in his waking form, having seen him last in dream.
"I told you Angband is no place to wander."
"I didn't intend to wait alone in my rooms until you saw fit to show yourself."
"If you had waited sightly longer I would have been there shortly."
"I grew impatient."
"Clearly."
"I trust your dreams were sweet." His smile split his entire face.
"Mostly. They were interrupted however."
"Is that so? I wonder why."
"So do I."
"Well, don't worry, I'm sure your dreams tonight will be even sweeter."
"I hope I don't have any. Last night's dreams were quite enough."
"Oh, but I was under the impression that you were enjoying the dreams."
"Is that so? Well regardless, I do hope you'll offer me something to eat."
"Of course." His eyes traveled ove her, and she realized that she was wearing nothing but the sheer night dress. She bit her lip and cleared her throat. "Hopefully at some point today."
Without warning he stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, and before she could protest, the darkness was crushing around her again, unbearable. And again, it cleared suddenly, and she found herself once again in the same intimate room from the dinner the night before.
"Warn me next time." She shifted, making to slide out of his grasp. However, he was holding on tight, and she was pinned against his chest.
"Excuse you lord Morgoth, but I did not ask to be held."
"You didn't hmm?" Like in her dream the night before, his breath was warm on her ear. Luthien breathed in sharply, trying to clear her mind.
"I am sure that I didn't." With a hard twist she pulled away, settling down at the table and raising an eyebrow. She saw annoyance, and danger flash across Morgoth's eyes, but he sat down as well, food appearing upon the table as he did. Soft rolls and a tureen of thick cream, strange dark fruits and a porridge that had a strong tangy smell. And wine. Always wine. She carefully took a bit of everything, trying to hide how hungry she was.
"Is there any water?"
"Now there is."
A glass appeared I her hand, and she jumped in panic, dropping it, only to find it resting calmly on the table. A cautious sip revealed it was cold and sweet.
"Is Beren safe?" She met his eyes. She had to know.
"Yes. Gone this mourning, to a soft green land far from here." He flicked his fingers, and an image flickered into being, clear and sweet, Beren resting by a brook, breath soft. It flickered away. She searched Morgoth's face, trying to discern whether he told the truth. She could not tell truly, but she detected no lie. And that image, it was to sweet and real for him to conjure from his mind. No, he was to corrupted. She felt a well of emotion rising in her throat, and sent silent prayer to Beren, wishing for him safety and love. She cleared her throat, forcing back tears.
"So why have I not run int anyone in these massive halls? And why does it seem we only visit two rooms? Are you hiding me away Lord Morgoth?"
"Oh no. I'm simply waiting to reveal my new queen."
"Waiting for what?"
"Waiting until I've seduced you, as you say."
"That may take a while."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really."
"What do you even mean by seduction I wonder?"
"You'll have to figure it out yourself."
"I am not patient."
"You waited ages to sow discontent among the Noldor."
"Smart girl. But I do not wish to wait so long for you."
"Well, then you had best seduce me." She lifted the glass to her lips, but before she could drink she found herself seemingly lifted, and again whisked into the crushing dark. She was going to kill him. This time she managed to keep her composure when the dark lifted, although she nearly lost it when she saw where she stood. They were on the very edge of a jut of rock, shooting out from the top of the tallest tower, the world a dizzying blur beneath her. She stepped back, feeling her legs threaten to give out beneath her. A rough laugh burst out behind her, and she wheeled in anger, facing Morgoth.
"Your surprise is a pleasure to watch Lady Luthi-" He was cut off by stinging slap of light that stung across his face. Luthien smiled in grim amusement, pleased to see the surprise cross his eyes.
"Do not whisk me where you will like a plaything. I will be treated with respect!"
"You overstep yourself girl." He loomed above her, voice dangerously low. She tried not to quiver under his gaze.
"No, you are the one who oversteps himself." She wondered briefly if he would hurl her from the edge. He stepped forward, and she tensed, ready to spring. She expected him to attack her, but instead she found herself held tightly in both of his arms, his lips pressed against hers, his grasp nearly crushing her bones. She could feel the heat rolling off of his body, like fire. She leaned into him, grabbing onto the collar of his robe and savagely returning his kiss, feeling her teeth cut his lip and draw blood, the strange bitter taste filling her mouth. A long moment passed before she pulled away, looking up at him defiantly. His tongue flicked to lick the blood from his lips. The light that shone out in his dark eyes was dangerous and wild. She felt her own storm of emotions and sensation threatening to overcome her senses, but pushed it down, pulling herself away and standing facing him, wiping the blood from her mouth. There was a long moment of tense silence. When he finally spoke his voice was sharp.
"You can find your own way back." With a sudden turn he vanished, the ground around his feet blackened and cracked. Luthien blinked in surprise.
xxxxxxxxxx
As it turned out, it took the rest of the day to find her room again, and by the time she stumbled upon the door by pure chance, she was utterly spent, her eyes filled with tears. The halls truly seemed to radiate a dark sort of madness, and she felt sick and disoriented, her throat burning, longing for water. She had carefully avoided any of Morgoth's servants when she came upon them, unsure what thy might do to her. She had been on the verge of laying down in despair, her entire body burning, scorched and dry, when she found the door, forcing it open with a sob of relief. To her surprise there was a pitcher of water waiting on a small golden table, and she grabbed it with shaking burning hands and lifted it to her lips, downing the entire thing, spilling it over her face and body in the process. She slumped to the floor, looking at her arms, scorched and dusted with ash, her dress torn and blackened. She stayed on the floor for a long while, letting her body calm itself, aching muscles screaming in protest. Eventually she stood, dragging herself to the bath and sliding in, floating for what felt like hours until she had calmed her mind. When she felt sufficiently soothed she pulled herself from the bath, drying off and stumbling to bed, laying down in the soft cloud-like blankets and sighing. She sung herself to sleep that night, letting the songs of her childhood rock her into the world of dreams.
Xxxxxxxxx
Melkor stared at the fires of Angband, lost in his thoughts. He was deeply disturbed. He wanted to seduce her, to his disgust, he wanted her to come to him willingly. He licked his lip again, still tasting of blood. She was far to bold. He should have cast her down into flame and shadow for her actions. And yet he found himself smiling, and desiring her even more. But how did one seduce her, stubborn fierce little bitch that she was? And repulsed by him as well. And yet he felt her strange desire. He had felt her breath hitch when he touched her, sensed the desire that she felt rising within her breast. And yet she pulled away and scorned him. She had wandered through the madness of Angband today, and manged to find her way back all on her own. Lucky girl. She slept now, and he wondered if he should again invade her dreams. He doubted it would serve any purpose, but found himself tempted to do so regardless. With a sigh that sent fissures of magma and spikes of ice splitting across the floor, he closed his eyes, willing himself into the plane of the mind, and following the strands of glimmering mist that led to her dreams. He expected to find the entrance closed, and to have to force it open. But instead he found the passage wide open. Suspicion pricked at his mind, but curiosity was stronger. When he entered her dreams this time, he found the mist swirling in thick tendrils, but clearing, giving way to a strange darkness, a soft forest filled with glowing lights which danced among ancient trees. Doriath. He smiled. At last he saw what it looked like. Somebody cleared their throat behind him, and he turned to find Luthien, leaning back against the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree, hair loose, dressed in naught but an airy garment of deep blue, falling off her shoulders.
"Lord Morgoth."
"I see you were ready for my visit tonight." He tilted his head, a mixture of anger and admiration boiling inside of his stomach. She shrugged, absently plucking a flower that grew up the side of the tree and twisting the glowing golden thing around in her hands. The whole forest was luminescent, every plant seeming to glow, spores of silvery blue floating upon the air, dancing. What a lovely place. Pity he could not destroy it. He saw the stars shining clear above, and wrinkled his nose, before turning his attention back to her. "What a lovely dream this is."
"I figured I'd let you catch a glimpse of Doriath, seeing as you will never see it in reality." Her smile was easy and mocking, and the need to throw her to the ground struck him, mixed equally with a desire to push her against the tree and fuck her until she screamed his name and nothing else. He calmed himself, raising an eyebrow.
"How kind of you."
"I am a kind woman."
"I noticed you had a bit of trouble today. Little thrall got lost in the halls of Angband. I must say, it was a pleasure to wat-" He was cut off by Luthien, who moved forward like a flash and took him by the collar, spinning and slamming him back against the tree.
"I did not appreciate your playing a little game and watching me suffer as I ran through your halls in near madness." She leaned close, eyes sharp. He waited., his curiosity over weighing his anger. She leaned yet closer. "That," She sharply ground her knee into his crotch, sending a wave of heat up his body, "was very rude lord Morgoth."
"Was it now?" He smiled, and emitted a small groan as she ground against him again. He was already hard, his anger mixing with arousal.
"Yes, it was. In fact." She pulled him forward, and then twisted, pushing him to the ground. It was truly a wonder what dreams allowed for, he mused, waiting curiously to see what she would do next. She dropped down on top of him, sitting up and straddling his hips, her hair forming a curtain around her face as she looked down at him. "I have an idea of how to get revenge on you."
"Do you now? I must admit, I'm looking forward to your revenge."
"Are you?" She ground her hips against his, the sensation a mixture of pain and pleasure that caused him to arch his back. "You may not enjoy it so much, lord Morgoth, when you hear what it is. You see, I think I'll play a game with you. I won't lay with you, nor allow you to seduce me. I will tempt you." she ground against him again. "For you're no different from any other when it comes to your desires. You'll be half mad with lust by the time this little game is over. I wonder if you can last it?"
He felt laughter rumble up inside of his chest, both enraged and delighted over her little idea. With a grunt he sat up and flipped Luthien to the ground beneath him, leaning above her and running his hands along her sides, pressing his weight over her supple body.
"I wonder if you can last the game lady Luthien. Why, you seem to have needs same as me."
"I appreciate a-" She leaned her head back and moaned slightly when his hands found her breasts. "I appreciate a challenge."
"I do not think it will last long. Why, you already seem ready to end it lady Luthien.
"Do I? You are sadly mistaken." The world around them flickered and faded, the strange woods giving way to mist. Luthien gave a crooked smile.
"You can find your own way back." And with that she was gone.
