The Road South
TheBrownLands, TA 2941
Khamûl listened for sounds of pursuit, but there were none.
They reached the safety of the trees below the hill and vanished into the forests of Mirkwood. In a short time, they put several miles between themselves and Dol Guldur. It was likely their attackers were already inside the fortress.
Once they were a safe distance away, they slowed to a trot and looped around to catch the main road to Mordor. The road traveled through deep forest, thick with the webs of spiders. It would take them a day to reach the southern edge of Mirkwood, and reach the open spaces of the Brown Lands.
"Of course, this is the route they'd expect us to take. Let's take a circuitous on the back roads instead. The map is very detailed. It shows every goat track and footpath between here and Minas Morgul." said Sauron.
He felt in his pocket for the map. His eyes widened. "The map is on my bed."
"I was a ranger. I can take us across country, but it will take longer to get there. How long will our food last?" said Khamûl.
"We didn't bring any." said Sauron.
Khamûl had another thought. They'd left Dol Guldur in such a rush. He'd interrupted his Master before he'd finished packing. Had anything else been left behind? The color drained from his face.
"My Lord, where are the Dwarven rings?"
Please no please no …
Sauron lifted the chain around his neck. Something jingled under his shirt.
"I've had them on my person since I first learned the White Council was meeting." he said.
Khamûl expected his Master would be upset about the loss of Dol Guldur, their dwelling-place for over a thousand years, but his mood was buoyant. "I'm going home." he told Khamûl.
They traveled through the forest for the rest of the day. When it got too dark for the horses to see, they found a hidden place well off the road to make camp. Sauron concealed it further with enchantments.
They slept on the ground that night, wrapped in their cloaks. They didn't light a fire.
Khamûl took the first watch. He woke Adûnaphel beforemidnight, and told her to wake him in the predawn. They broke camp before it was light, and were soon back on the main road, heading south.
"It's so hard, being cut off from any news. I know who the attackers were, but that's all I know. I'd give anything to sit in a tavern and hear what people are saying." said Sauron.
Shortly after sunrise, the road left the forest and entered the Brown Lands.
Midmorning, they heard hoof beats in the distance, approaching at breakneck speed. Khamûl looked for a thicket beside of the road that would conceal them.
"It's Angmar." said Sauron.
Angmar and Uvatha came thundering up from the south and pulled up, their horses panting and lathered with sweat.
"Change of plans. I'm returning to Mordor." Sauron told Angmar. "Have you heard any news about the attack on Dol Guldur?"
"No, I haven't heard anything. I was answering your summons for reinforcements." said the Witch King.
They turned south and proceeded at a walk. Uvatha dismounted and led his horse by the reins.
Khamûl turned to Angmar. "So, did you bring any food?"
ooo
At some point, the road went through a shallow ford. Sauron and Angmar rode through it without a pause in their conversation. Adûnaphel was right behind them. Númenorians, born and bred to ships and the sea, had no problem crossing running water.
He saw Uvatha pause and gather himself. He took a deep breath and plunged in, crossing faster than the others had and quickly catching up with them.
He sat motionless in the saddle, staring at the running water, unable to move.
"Khamûl, its six inches deep. You're not going to drown." said Angmar.
"Are you worried about getting splashed? It's the same stuff you were drinking a minute ago. You won't get burned." said Adûnaphel.
Khamûl agreed with them. He knew his fears were irrational, but knowing it didn't make the slightest bit of difference.
Sauron watched the debate without comment, then re-crossed the stream. He pulled up beside Khamûl and gripped his arm above the elbow.
Khamûl started to feel strange. Unnaturally calm. Nothing seemed very important. He realized he was staring off in the distance, unblinking.
"Ready?"
He nodded. They crossed together. When they reached the far side, Sauron released him, and the horses climbed the bank. Khamûl heard the sound of rushing water behind him. He thought of turning back to look, but decided not to.
