Deep down, Oromë knew that this day would come. He had hunted Morgoth's lieutenants one after another bringing them back to Valinor to be judged, but Sauron always managed to get away with it. Always one step ahead, always three back-up plans if things don't turn out in his favor. Still a threat to Arda.
Oromë didn't know much about the Maia Mairon. Only that he was one of the best, if not the best blacksmith in Aulë, he had joined Morgoth in the time of Almaren before the destruction of the lamps.
The elves named him Gorthaur the Cruel and then in the First Age Sauron the Abominable.
The Vala had seen him when breaking through the walls of Angband. Flaming hair, black armor pieces and a crown on his forehead. We could have found him pretty if he didn't have that look of pleasure when he sliced his enemies, he had wanted to take care of him himself but Eönwë had told him that he was taking care of it and that his presence was required against Morgoth.
Horrible cries echoed through the palace courtyard as the Nazguls pounced on him.
He tells himself that he should have fought it himself at that time.
He fired his arrow at the Tainted who barely managed to disappear to avoid the impact before reappearing above him, throwing it in his direction.
He got out of the way and with his golden spear blocked Khamûl's mace. There was strength in the blow but nothing compared to his own. He pushed him away and ducked as from behind him the Half-Elf's sword sliced through the place where his head had previously been. He kicked his back and the force of the blow sent him flying backwards. He saw armored boots and as he stood up put his spear to his side to block Sauron's black sword.
With his other hand holding Eönwë's sword, he threw it to his unprotected side.
Oromë spun his spear, lowering Sauron's left sword, and at the same time blew his right into the air. He pointed his spear at the Maia who brought back his palm and deflected the trajectory of the weapon. Sauron stepped back so that the Immortal and the Tainted appeared on each side ready to impale him.
With one hand the Vala grabbed the Immortal's spear whose touch was frozen and hurled it at the Tainted. The two Nazgul pierced each other and shouted this sound which made Oromë wince. Their cry didn't affect him like the firstborns but it was still a horrible sound to hear.
He saw the White Lady out of the corner of his eye with her two short swords and moved as she disappeared in a blur to reappear on his side the dark blades ready to stab him. He threw his elbow to hit her but she disappeared again leaving only smoke behind her.
Strangely the Witch-King hadn't attacked, he was just circling the fight as if looking for an opening. Well Oromë wasn't going to give him that pleasure. He got back into position ready for any onslaught of ghosts, keeping an eye on everyone.
Sauron raised his hand and the Nazgul froze. Sauron looked at Oromë slowly lowering his arm as if surveying the situation.
" What? » Oromë asked without the slightest sign of fatigue from the attacks. "Did you think that was going to be enough to bring me down?"
" No, certainly not. »said Sauron. " But I just wanted a glimpse of your skills and how you fight. You use your refined eyesight to predict what your enemies will do. You spotted the Half-Elf by his shadow, didn't you? »That sounded more like a statement than a question.
Oromë had to admit that he was very observant having deduced his fighting style from his short attacks. Morgoth never bothered to observe his opponents, he just threw Grond furiously at him and Tulkas.
" As I thought. That doesn't surprise me coming from a hunter. » Sauron looked at the sun again as he spoke. " Well let's see how you get on without your eyes." He lifted his arm and the room went dark as night again. Oromë couldn't even make out his hands anymore. He flashed his spear and to his amazement only managed to shine a few meters away.
"This is going to be annoying.. " He mumbled to himself.
" In the First Age, among the titles I received, Master of Shadows was among them, I guess the situation fits. »Oromë heard his voice coming from all directions and could not locate him. He could sense their presence but the cloud made his senses a total mess, everything was a blur.
" Let the real fight begin"
Esstel only had two things on her mind, both fighting for her focus. One was worry for Aerir who was left to fight alone against a Nazgul and the other was fear for his life as Nahar galloped at top speed through the darkened city. She knew that riding the first of the Mearas had to be sensational but that was too much, she clung with all her strength to the white mane so as not to fall.
She heard a scream coming from behind and turned her head towards the road. She saw nothing but felt that they were in pursuit.
'How can they chase us away at the speed we're going?'
Apparently Nahar felt it too and picked up the pace. They came to the city gates that had been smashed to pieces and out of Tirion.
Nahar seemed unaffected by the lack of vision and instinctively headed north. Esstel heard the Nazgul's cries stop at the city walls as if he had given up. She let out a breath and tried to look ahead.
On the walls of Tirion, the Nazgul alighted and watched its prey stalk away. He turned to the south and let out a loud cry that echoed across the plains. He then turned to the palace and sent a silent message to his master. He received his response of agreement and the next moment heard the beating of his mount's wings. As large and menacing as great eagles except they had a killer instinct that Manwë's pets lacked. They were often mistaken for dragons although they did not have fiery breaths. The Nazgul mounted his beast and flew off in pursuit of Nahar.
The situation was more than precarious. Five other Nazgul had joined the original two which left Finwë facing two while the Maiar faced one each. From their looks, four of them were dwarfs and the other three were men.
Finwë blocked the sword of a ribbon Nazgul who had tried to take him from behind. He pushed him away and found himself with a Nazgul on each side. The two began to walk slowly around him as Finwë repositioned himself. The ribbon-wraith stopped with his back to the light emitted by the Maia and stood on guard. Finwë waited but no attacks came.
He wondered what they were waiting for to attack and saw that the Nazgul with the three-pointed spear had suddenly disappeared to reappear in front of him. Finwë deflected the spear already too close to his chest and with his second sword slashed towards the Nazgul's head.
The specter disappeared again and Finwë understood how he had done it.
'He uses the shadow to fight, the other Nazgul put his back to the light to lengthen his shadow and so this one used it to reach me. That's how he could appear in the middle of our formation. He had been hiding in the shadow of the elf.' Finwë widened his eyes when he realized the extent of the problem.
'If the vial's light goes out then he can take us all down without any difficulty.' He turned to the other Nazgul with his back to the light and saw that he had clear access to the Maia who was carrying the vial and who was herself battling one of the dwarven Nazgul. The Ribbon Nazgul also saw her and threw his hand at her. The Maia's sword suddenly broke and she fell to the ground facing the pain in her hand. She let go of the vial, which rolled away from her and began to fade.
"Grab the vial! » Cried Finwë "If it goes out we are lost!" He wanted to take it but he was again attacked by the shadow manipulating Nazgul.
The elven king listed his possibilities and found them few.
'They are much stronger than in the stories I have heard. They can withstand the light of Oromë and seem to know all about our abilities while we know nothing about theirs. We have to fall back, but they certainly won't let us.'
He heard an incantation and saw one of the Maiar sending volleys of white energy towards the nearest Nazgul who happened to be the one with the ribbon. Finwë saw the opportunity and as the specter dodged the attack he lunged at him and thrust his left sword into his back. An intense pain ran through his hand but Finwë held on. He pulled it out and blocked the spear of the Nazgul which was right behind him. The ribbon Nazgul fell to the ground and his whole body started shaking. He began to disappear until only his sword and a pile of cloth remained on the ground.
The other Nazgul didn't seem the least bit fazed and re-engaged their opponents with equal ferocity.
Finwë once more pushed his Nazgul away and grabbed the nearly extinguished vial. He sang a few words and the vial came back to life. He kept it and was forced to put away one of his swords, the vial needed constant touch to work. The Nazgul suddenly appeared above and fell on him with its spear tip pointing downward. Finwë raised the vial to him and the Nazgul cried out in pain. Finwë taking advantage of his weakness deflected his weapon and kicked him which sent him flying into the fountain in the square. He rushed out of the water with what sounded like a scream of rage and attacked again with a horizontal strike.
But instead of dodging as before, Finwë blocked his spear and approached the specter the vial towards his helmet. The Nazgul screamed again and tried to back away but the elven king wouldn't let him and swung towards his arm holding the spear to cut it. No longer able to disappear in the shadows because of the proximity to the light, the Nazgul took the full blow and his left forearm fell to the ground disappearing into dust.
Finwë allowed himself to smile when he saw this. 'I have your greatest weakness in my hand wraith. Let's see how you do now.'
He heard a scream on his left and saw one of the Maiar motionless on the ground with an ax in his chest and a pool of blood forming around it. His smile disappeared immediately and he turned to his opponent whose arm was beginning to recover. It was now a race against time, the first to fall would bring down all the others.
It had been a week since Aulë and Yavanna had arrived, and Aulë had immediately begun siege preparations. The Vala checked armories whose weapons had not been used since the First Age. And although they are done under his supervision, after nearly six thousand years of inactivity a little supervision wouldn't hurt.
He was staring at a dual sword when his chief Maia stalked in. " Lord Aulë.»
He put down his sword and turned to him, " What's the matter, Curumo?"
" Smoke was spotted to the east coming from the edges of the great forest. Near the cloud.»
" Do you think the cloud has a corrosive effect on the trees?»
" I don't think so, the smoke is only spread over one particular area. Whatever it may be, it moves independently of the cloud. »
" Show me. »
The two headed to one of the large balconies on the mountain which gave a panoramic view of the entire East Coast. Aulë looked towards the distant cloud and felt a horrible sensation pass through it. It looked like a great jaw swallowing the earth with rage and ferocity spreading over places and places. And who knows what he would find inside.
" His power seems to rival that of the Dark Enemy now. " Curumo blurted out. "I must admit that he impresses me.»
" Be careful Curumo, others might think you envy his power.»
" Far be it from me, my lord. But it would be foolish not to recognize the strength of his adversary. » He turned to Aulë who was still staring at the horizon. "May I ask if you have heard from Tirion?"
" None. Even my connection with Oromë has been severed. Unfortunately, they have to fend for themselves. Sending reinforcements into the cloud would be suicidal knowing that its content is unknown to us.»
" I'm sorry to contradict you Aulë, but that's not the case anymore" The two turned to see Yavanna.
" What do you mean? »asked the blacksmith.
" I received a message from Aiwendil, he went to this black smoke in the woods of Oromë, and he found the cause. »She stood next to them and looked at them seriously. "You better check your supplies of black arrows.»
It didn't take long for Aulë to understand. " Firedracs?»
" Uruloki Firedrakes to be precise"
" He managed to get Dragons across?" Aulë noted that Curumo seemed more shocked by the fact that dragons were able to reach Valinor than by the presence of the dragons themselves but dismissed that thought deciding to care later.
" That explains the smoke, did Aiwendil tell you anything else?"
" He was very shaken when I received his message, he is on his way to join us and will arrive in a week.»
" The cloud will come to us in two weeks at this rate.»
" So you have to start preparing for everything, whether it's Dragons or Sauron himself. »Yavanna glanced discreetly at Curumo and the Maia understanding the silent request left the room having things to think about himself.
"Do you want to talk about it? »Yavanna asked her husband. Aulë shook his head slowly as he looked towards the city below the mountain which had already barricaded the gates.
" Yet you'll have to do it one day " She put her hand on his shoulder and Aulë put his hand over it, seeking his gentleness. " What will you do if you meet him?»
Aulë stared again at the dark cloud and spoke softly "I don't know... "
Oromë stood in a position staring into the nothingness that was his surroundings. The fight had taken a right-angled turn with this change in Sauron's tactics. At first the Nazgul attacked him with ferocity and rage but now they waited for the opportunity to strike and catch him off guard. He felt that his other Maiar were also fighting against the Nazgul and also felt the death of his servants. All he could do was wish them the strength to hold on as he faced the Dark Lord.
He felt the air move in his neck and turned to block the Immortal's spear.
He lowered his spear onto his and pinned them both to the ground, he sent a fist towards his helmet but the Nazgul was brutally pulled into the shadows with his weapon. Oromë got back into position and waited again. He felt the air move again and turned to parry, except there was nothing to parry. He again felt the air moving on both sides and barely moved away from Khamûl's mace and the Tainted's spear. He sliced them both but they too disappeared.
' They created a draft to distract me? They adapts at breakneck speed. They have already changed their attack tactics to fool me. I have to adapt faster than them if I want to win.'
He felt the draft but ignored it to focus on his other senses, he tried to smell a scent but only smelled Sauron's which wasn't going to help him much. He narrowly dodged the blades of the White Lady who immediately disappeared. This time he listened to the vibrations of the ground and felt the slow but present footsteps all around him.
He drew his bow and with unparalleled speed fired at the nearest Nazgul. The arrow flashed and Oromë could see it crash into the Tainted who was thrown into a pillar and who screamed in pain at the power that passed through him.
The light disappeared and Oromë felt the ghosts quicken their pace.
The Immortal appeared in his blind spot ready to strike but Oromë spun to the side and fired an arrow directly into his spiked helmet. Without stopping he took out his spear and stuck it in his chest. He lifted his spear carrying the Nazgul and threw it in the path of Khamûl's mace which sent him flying away. Oromë grabbed Khamûl's mace by the staff and pulled it out of his hands. The specter jumped to retrieve it but Oromë used his own mace to knock him back into the shadows. Oromë clenched his fist and the mass shattered accompanied by a faint white light.
' I have them, they can't take me by surprise anymore. '
He felt a strong impulse against the ground and put his spear in position to block the Nazgul falling on him screaming. The specter's sword struck his spear and Oromë sensed something was wrong as the force of the blow knocked him to his knees. He looked at the Nazgul and recognized him as the Witch-King.
' So he wasn't lying. This Nazgul really is stronger than the others ' He deflected the specter sword and punched his helmet. The Vala was shocked to see him take the hit without flinching and hit him with his own blow which Oromë barely dodged. The Witch-King, unlike the others who disappeared at the end of their attacks, charged him again, sword in hand.
Oromë also felt the other Nazgul coming from all sides and when drawing his bow shot an arrow at his feet. An explosion of light sprang from it and repelled the specters who disappeared screaming in agony. Oromë's environment became fragmented, parts of the cloud had disappeared leaving it with areas of light and areas of complete nothingness floating around it. He looked around for his enemies and saw several piles of fabrics and scraps of armor scattered on the ground. Only the Witch-King, the Half-Elf and the White Lady still remained intact although smoking.
' They are solid. This attack should have destroyed them all. But they're weakened, might as well finish them now '
He cocked his bow and aimed at the Witch-King who was starting to get up. He drew his arrow and watched it hit the ground as the three specters transformed into masses of smoke and flew out of the palace.
"Nice try, but too slow. " Oromë looked at Sauron who was still standing still swords in hand.
He cocked his bow again and fired at the Maia which with a quick gesture cut the arrow in flight.
Orome drew his arrows again and shot one to his right and another to his left. The two arrows made a circular arc and redirected to the flanks of Sauron who blocked one and jumped over the other aimed at his feet. He landed again with a thud and a crack formed beneath him.
'He's nimble, even in this form. I must not underestimate him.'
The Vala of the hunt prepared to fire again when a still-floating piece of shadow passed in front of its target. He waited for the shadow to pass, still aiming for where he had seen it. When the shadow passed, Oromë gritted his teeth as Sauron disappeared.
'How did he do that?' Oromë then remembered the event at the gates of the city a few days before. 'He did the same in front of the doors, he can make himself invisible, which means..' Oromë realized the problem this was causing when he heard a hiss in the air. At a speed he was no longer accustomed to, Oromë rolled to the side and stared at the crater that was now in its previous location.
' I almost got decapitated, he made himself invisible as soon as the shadow passed and walked towards me.'
" Too scared to face me face to face? I thought after three thousand years of hiding you'd finally be ready to show up.»
" I will say that when the odds are on your side, it is in your interest to use them without restraint. "
Once again Oromë could not make out the origin of the voice that echoed in the courtyard. Sauron spoke again after a few moments of silence.
" And I strongly advise you to stop holding back because with this level of power, you will never beat me.»
" That's what we'll see. »Said Oromë brandishing his bow again.
He tugged at one of the pillars that held the walls together and the spire glowed a brilliant white that disintegrated the last bits of floating shadows. He actively looked at the ground and saw a faint shadow forming on the ground under the effect of the light. For anyone else this shadow would have gone unnoticed, it was so weak, but not for Oromë. He saw it black on white and with it was drawing a target for his arrow. He fired an arrow on a side adjacent to his opponent then fired a second faster than the first which hit it in flight and redirected it towards the location of the shadow. He smiled when he heard the arrow collide with metal. And although the arrow landed on the ground meaning that Sauron had dodged at the last moment, Oromë had managed to hit him.
Oromë suddenly saw three balls of shadows flying up and destroying the luminous spire at the pillar, making the scene much darker again, only the tower's lamp still illuminating them. Oromë closed his eyes and felt the vibrations of the ground. He felt the footsteps echo in the stone and blocked with the invisible blades with his spear.
" I could do this all day. »Said Oromë in an almost bored tone. But he was forced to put a barrier on him when he felt the temperature rise and a breath of fire fell on him. The Vala's barrier held firm, but he could still feel the heat covering it and charring the greenery that lived around it.
' The tree!' Oromë thought urgently ' If he continues, he will burn the white tree '
He saw Sauron reappear who was pressing down on his blades again to bring him down and a crown of fire lying in his back constantly throwing waves of heat.
Oromë used a new part of his power and pushed the dark Maia away from him who stopped his fire attack and rolled a few times before getting back to his feet.
Oromë looked at the state of the white tree and saw it still intact. Sauron caught his eye and looked at the Teleri tree as well. He held out his hand and a mass of shadow came out, heading for the tree.
Oromë's eyes widened as he saw the action and using his true speed, the Vala arrived in front of the mass and reached into it. He winced at the pain but continued his action. The mass began to disappear into his hand until there was nothing left.
Yet the dark lord had not decided to stop, he fired several shadow balls from his hands and tendrils of darkness came out of his back in the direction of the hunter.
Oromë took position and deflected the bullets with the ends of his spear and cut the first tendril that came. Two more tendrils passed by him and aimed at the tree. Once again Oromë used his superior speed to stop the tendrils which he disintegrated with light energy.
He felt pain in his leg and looked down to see a tendril being driven into it. He slashed it with his spear and looked up to see several dozen bullets and tendrils hurtling at him and the tree from all sides. Oromë picked up his bow again and sent several arrows that were aimed at the tree. The golden arrows touched the tendrils and their entire lengths disappeared under the effect of the power. But alas Oromë was not fast enough to avoid the bullets that hit him. He gritted his teeth and took the pain of the burns.
"I don't understand, " Sauron said still with his hands up ready to fire. " You choose to save the tree instead of protecting yourself from injury from my attacks. Why ?»
Oromë let out a breath and glared at Sauron "It is the tree of the Eldar, the last of the line thanks to you. "
" It's a piece of wood. And I don't understand the adulation you have for them. Yavanna could create dozens of them if she wanted to. What's special about them? They have no medicinal properties, their wood is not stronger or of better quality than the others. They only serve to look pretty. If at least they produced light like Telperion I would understand but I confess to being lost. »
" You can't understand, this tree gives hope to the firstborn, that one day light will reign again and erase the darkness of Morgoth.»
" Elves are dreamers, yearning for a new age but doing nothing to bring it about. Nothing can be achieved by hoping, only actions count. »Sauron lowered his hands and walked towards him.
" It was hope that defeated Morgoth.»
" Wrong! » Sauron said uncharacteristically loudly. "It was not hope that defeated Morgoth, it was you and the other Valar. It wasn't hope that defeated me in the War of Wrath. This is the swordplay of Eönwë. Besides, it was also Eönwë's hope of bringing me back alive that allowed me to escape him. And it was hope that brought Middle-earth to ruin. »
He raised his black sword towards Oromë who firmly held his spear ready for any assault.
" How many more victims will your hope cause?"
Oromë looked into Sauron's eyes and he could see nothing. Only an endless void was there. Oromë knew then that Sauron was ready to do anything to succeed, no matter the consequences. Oromë was then decided. He was going to end this war, he was going to stop the Dark Lord and Eru would decide his fate himself. He lowered his spear and looked at Sauron with the most emotionless face the Maia had ever seen.
" Only one.»
Sauron suddenly backed away when a strong wind struck him and forced him to cover himself. He looked at Oromë and was blown away. The Vala stood before Galathilion shining like the sun. The cloud above Tirion paled in the face of that power floating around him like armor. A white halo stood behind his head and gave the impression of a crown. His features could no longer be distinguished, but Sauron could only see him better that way. See the power of one of the Aratars.
« Arǭmêz »
Finwë avoided the hammer that crashed to the ground. He advanced the light of Oromë and the dwarf Nazgul stepped back to soothe the pain. There were still three Maiars left at his side, still fighting the remaining four Nazgul. The shadow master Nazgul was a thorn in the elf king's foot that no matter what blows he inflicted on him, he never managed to make him disappear. When the specter was wounded he disappeared into the cloud and returned unscathed. Finwë was preparing for the next offensive when everyone present felt the power coming from the palace. A light gushes into the shadows and the darkness around them weakens allowing them to see better. Finwë didn't know what to think.
'On the one hand it's a good thing because it will weaken the Nazgul but on the other… Do you really need to go that far to beat him?'
They heard a scream and looked up to see two trails of black smoke flying above them circling like vultures. They landed alongside the remaining Nazgul and stood still. Finwë had a horrible feeling looking at the two new Nazgul who wore elven crowns.
The White Lady looked at the Maiar and the specters at her side. She looked again at Finwë and more specifically at the light he was holding. She held out her hand and a shock wave fell on them, the Maiar were sent back as Finwë was planted on the ground held by the specter. The White Lady continued to maintain pressure and looked at the Half-Elf to her right.
The specter nodded and slowly advanced, drawing his sword unaffected by the White Lady's power. The three Maiar behind Finwë got up and tried to come back to help the elven king but they were again pushed back by the shock wave of the specter.
The Half-Elf arrived in front of Finwë who could barely move a finger. The Nazgul raised his hand and pointed it at the elf's head.
"Stay away from me Nazgul. » Finwë spoke with venom in his voice.
The Nazgul spoke in a quiet, low voice, barely audible to others, but crystal clear to Finwë, and a dark green light emanated from his hand.
" You will submit to the Lord of the Rings, and at our side you will serve him. Or you will die, and I will raise you as my slave. You have a choice before you. »
Among the Maiars behind, one of them seemed to panic when he heard those words. He concentrated his power and began to rise, struggling against the overwhelming power.
But he couldn't take a step before a dwarven Nazgul appeared in front of him and drove his ax into his stomach. He fell back to the ground and the specter stared at him motionless.
" You can't win, stupid Maia "
Finwë began to feel nauseous, his vision began to darken and he forced himself to stay awake because he knew that if he fell asleep it would be the end of him.
He felt the power of the Half-Elf against his mental barriers but he resisted.
"You will never have me, I will never submit to you or to Sauron. » The Half-Elf tilted his head curiously as he listened to his words. Then he did something Finwë didn't think possible, he laughed. A fake, emotionless laugh.
" I used to be like you, we tried to resist but...like the others, we fell. Your time is up, Finwë. Everything you have done has brought you to this moment. We are bound in this brotherhood. Such is the fate of Kings and elves. »Finwë looked at him in confusion.
" Who are you ? »
" We are the Nazgul " And from behind him the previous Nazgul whom Finwë had beaten appeared like ghosts with several others whom he did not recognize. " You still don't understand. But you will soon be brought to. All who are called will serve the dark lord. There is no escape, even in death. »
And with that last sentence, Finwë's mental defenses were shattered and he fell into the darkness of his mind with a sense of dread he had never felt even in the face of Morgoth.
Sauron looked at the force of nature that stood motionless before him. He took a step forward to speak but instead blocked with his two swords when a spear slammed into him. The force of the blow knocked Sauron to his knees and the ground cracked beneath him. Sauron deflected the spear and swung Eönwë's sword at his ribs. Oromë grabbed the blade with his right hand and snatched it from his hands. He threw it back and hit Sauron with a big punch that sent him crashing through the opposite wall. Sauron emerged almost immediately with a dent in his helmet.
" I'm glad you're taking this fight seriously Arǭmêz. » Sauron looked at the Vala in its true form. The one used against Morgoth in Angband. "I've always wanted to see you in your true form, you and the other Valar, so powerful. You could have easily defeated the armies of Morgoth yourself if you wanted to. »A rumble was heard and Oromë saw filaments of the cloud enter the courtyard and seep into Sauron's armor, repairing the damage to his armor.
" And yet you decided to send the elves of Aman to wage the war you had provoked. »He threw several shadow balls at the Vala
Oromë was beginning to get tired of hearing him remember all the bad deeds of the Valar and the elves and ignoring the bullets that were deflected from him, he bandaged his bow and aimed at the Maia.
" You know nothing of what happened. »He fired the arrow which Sauron blocked in the front with his sword but was sent back into another room. Oromë followed him and entered the dark room. He looked for Sauron but did not see him.
" I know you thought the Numenoreans had disobeyed the Valar, and were too corrupt to hold them to account. You had to keep the peace, so you asked Ilúvatar to do it for you. » Oromë shooted on the wall where he heard the voice but the arrow pierced an empty wall as Sauron appeared behind him watching him "It was your duty."
The Vala sensed that Sauron's power was gradually increasing as the fight went on. He had to take him down quickly without falling into his trap. He slowly pulled another arrow from his quiver as he spoke, "It was our duty, and our burden. »He turned and fired at his opponent who hit the arrow which landed next to him.
" That doesn't mean we were wrong to do it." The second arrow shot landed in his left shoulder and he was sent back. Oromë took out his spear and leaped at Sauron on the ground. Sauron rolled sideways when the spear landed on the ground but Oromë slid his weapon along the stone which slammed into Sauron and sent him waltzing back into the main courtyard.
Sauron stood up and looked at all the damage his armor was slowly repairing.
" Do you think that because Ilúvatar chose you as ruler of Arda that excuses you for everything? Not once have I heard you admit your mistakes, just make excuses. »
" As if you were perfect. »Oromë fired at his other shoulder which he could barely block and Oromë with his spear disarmed him and stabbed him in the arm pinning him to the ground. Yet Sauron never cried out or even moaned in the pain, he just stared into his white eyes with his black ones.
" I never pretended to be perfect, but at least I don't pass off my mistakes as inevitable acts. »
Sauron punched Oromë in the face and knocked him back. Sauron grabbed the spear and ripped it from his body. He took the spear by the handle and Oromë saw the burn the weapon made on his hands. A red aura surrounded his hands and with amazement Oromë saw his spear melt in the hands of the Maia.
All the damage to his armor repaired itself and Sauron reached for his sword on the ground which flew into his hand.
' Where can all this power come from? It's impossible that he just hid it, I would have felt it.'
Sauron ran towards him swinging his sword at Oromë who blocked with the wood of his bow, he recoiled from the blow but came back at him using his bow as a substitute weapon. He aimed for his legs and Sauron jumped over him, burying his face in the ground. Oromë used the momentum to roll back and got to his feet. Sauron sliced vertically and Oromë dodged to the side. Sauron spun and threw the sword back at an impossible-to-dodge angle which Oromë blocked with his bow and knocked him back. Several sword thrusts were sent from Sauron to which Oromë dodged or blocked while retreating towards the balcony which descended on the city. Sauron leaped forward and kicked him in the chest which sent him back against the railing which broke under his weight. Sauron leapt on him sword down and Oromë crashed to the ground with his head hanging in the air as he held back the sword that threatened to pierce his skull.
Oromë groaned holding the sword away from him as Sauron also pressed to surpass his strength.
"Do you think I'm going to kill the elves only to keep what pleases me? No, your armies will become mine. The elves will serve me or perish and unlike Eru, I will not let any get in the way of my goals of peace. Because only actions lead to victory, not observation.»
" You dare talk to me about peace!? You are not worthy to say the name of Atar! »Oromë pushed Sauron away, got behind his back and put his bow around his neck. He sent him flying backwards and as he rose to his feet, Oromë caught the last arrow in his quiver, a Mithril arrow reflecting the light Oromë emanated. The Vala bandaged the arrow and a golden light wrapped around the arrow. He spoke in a loud voice, chanting the incantation in Valarin.
" I thīr ayanūz " These words were meant to eliminate the darkness of this world, an incorruptible purifying power. To bring back peace and harmony.
The arrow went off like a rocket and the whole area radiated white light.
We could distinguish the shape of a horse instead of the arrow which galloped with power and beauty in a plain. The arrow flew at lightning speed but for the two Ainur it was a spectacle of beauty and power. If he were hit by this attack, his death would be assured.
The One Ring suddenly shone with golden light and Oromë was shocked as he felt Sauron's power reach heights never before reached by any. None except one. Oromë then understood where the power of the Maia came from. A power that has created discord and evil on Arda. And he will use that power to destroy them.
Sauron raised his sword and chanted his own incantation in Black Speech.
"Burzum uzagūz" These words were intended to establish peace and order. Whatever the cost, whatever the consequences. Because he had nothing more to lose, it had been a long time since he had nothing more to lose.
The sword became flame and spat out a flaming wolf running on the stone with determination and fury.
Attacks met and battled for dominance. The walls cracked and a wind of power swept through Valinor reaching Valimar and the forges of Aulë. The cloud of darkness filled with lightning the white tree of the Eldar reflected the power of the two powers.
The two Ainur sang as they poured ever more power into their destructive attacks trying to knock the other down.
Orome looked at Sauron, whose fire was beginning to surround him. The flames started from each side of him and created a shape already seen by others before. An eye, lipless, shrouded in flames. An eye that sees through everything, water, stone and flesh. That watchful , fixed eye, and Sauron became the black slit in his pupil, opened on a well, a window overlooking nothing.
But Oromë was not ready to give up, he had sworn to bring down Sauron and he would, he would defeat the last great darkness of this world and restore the light. Thus his arrow slowly took over his beam of fire and approached the Eye.
But Oromë felt his power diminish when he saw a sword pierce his chest and a deep, guttural voice speak behind his back.
" Your journey is over. Lord of the hunt, it's over. »Oromë turned his head to see the Witch-King holding the sword of Eönwë which he had thrown further into the courtyard. He also felt Morgul's poison weaken him enough that his arrow lost its power and was overwhelmed.
" You... " But he didn't finish his sentence when the sword was abruptly pulled away and the Witch-King flew into a mass of darkness.
" Die and curse in vain" was the last thing he heard from the wraith before the blazing fire consumed him.
All of the Maiar remaining in town turned their heads in the dark as they saw the deadly flame coming out of the High Palace.
Alatar and Pallando watched in horror from the civilian hideouts as they felt their lord's power wither.
Pallando looked at the citizens of the city asleep because of the cloud and was seized with great sadness.
" What do we do now? he asked looking at his brother.
Alatar looked back at the sleeping elves and sighed sadly. "We lost, and we can no longer hope to wake them up and get them evacuated. » He looked at Pallando and a tear rolled from his eye. " We must leave and inform the Valar of the situation. If Esstel can't reach them, we have to go.»
The two Maiar then took the direction of the doors and made low profiles not to be detected, the sorrow filling their hearts.
Sauron walked out of the fiery eye which disappeared in the wind behind him. He looked at the scorch-filled yard and the now charred white tree. The last of the white trees was dead.
He felt the presence of his Nazgul and watched as it spun through the air before it landed in front of him. The Witch-king stood on one knee holding Eönwë's sword flat to return it to him.
" My lord, we have taken the city, and Finwë is under your thumb.»
Sauron stared at the specter for a long time before finally speaking. " You have served me well. The sword of Eönwë...is yours. Now bring me the body of Finwë "
" And what about the Maiar prisoners?" The Witch-King asked curiously, looking at his master.
" Break them. »The Nazgul lord nodded and flew back into the shadows.
Sauron then walked to the middle of the yard and stopped staring at Oromë on the ground back in his normal physical form. The Vala looked up painfully at Sauron.
" What are you waiting for? Kill me.»
" Kill you? Not yet. I have other projects for you. »Sauron raised his right hand and Oromë's body went to its knees against its will. The One shone on Sauron's hand and Oromë felt as if his fëa were being ripped from him.
" What are you doing to me?" He managed to ask through gritted teeth and he realized that his voice was losing its power. His forces were leaving him, no, they were torn from his being. He looked at Sauron and saw two flaming orbs where the nothingness had been before.
The Dark Lord watched Oromë burn.
For the gaze of the dark lord is fire.
End of Act I.