I finished this chapter earlier than I thought I would. Airawende and Gothmog come to mind much faster the Haldamire and Sauron. Enjoy y'all!
I was in dazed agony as he carried me down the hallways, but my mind kept going back to Maitimo. I hoped he wouldn't hate me forever for being the cause of his suffering. He had my name burned and carved into his flesh. That had to be the worst thing to happen to him. Would he suffer if I acted out again? The possibility brings dread and somehow hope unfurling inside my chest. I want to see him again, but not at the price of pain. Maybe I could sneak down there sometime? Impossible. I don't even know the way nor do I have strength enough to open my eyes. I mean I could physically, but I have no heart to see.
"general" a new voice spoke out loudly ringing in the hallway. Did he know Gothmog? I squeezed my eyes tighter closed and leaned into him more. If they are friends or something then it must be a horrible being too.
"Why are you here? This isn't your typical domain to wander." Gothmog responded.
"I may not tend to roam these halls in particular, but nothing here binds or loosens my presence lest it be an errand for our lord" the being responded. He had a much lighter tone then Gothmog, but more harsh then Tar-Mairon.
"Enough with your underhanded sprite words Langon. Take those to the enemies you treat with. Mairon spoke to me of your curiosity in Haldamire and think I did notice you look at my Airawende leaving Mairon's instruction" Gothmog sounded more vexed this time. Perhaps he does not like this Langon? Maybe Langon is nice?! When did he see me? What time passing him is Gothmog referring to? I forced my eyes open and blinked at the light. It was much brighter then Angband was usually. I gasped realizing Gothmog was actually glowing yellowish red light in the hallway nearly as bright as the torches along the wall. I felt his grip on me tighten slightly at my noise of disbelief.
Langon was so pretty! Not as pretty as Tar-Mairon nor as intimidating as Gothmog, but he was a beautiful one. If a frightening one as well. His eyes were like pools of pitch. Not just the iris or the pupil, but the entire eye. It is much more frightening then it sounds. There isn't any emotion to see in it nor even where he is looking. There was something a little off putting about his whole presence.
"I have no notions of rising above my place, general, I simply wish to gaze upon them to satisfy curiosity. You must know I am hardly a threat to your ownership. Many other inhabitants of Angband have…less passive motives" Langon spoke calmly, but I just wish I could tell where he was looking at.
"Is that a threat?" Gothmog hissed back his grip tightening even more causing me to squeal in pain. It made the whip marks in my back scrunch up painfully. Sweat dripped down across my face as the glowing intensified and the heat increased.
"I would never dare to threaten our great general. Forgive me, curiosity drives me into unwise words." Langon said bowing his head. It seemed to work as the heat let up a bit. It was burning me. The sweat dripping down into my wounds. I wriggled around in pain.
"Airawende settle yourself" Gothmog snapped at me before answering to Langon's apology. "What do you know of motives towards Haldamire and Airawende?" I struggled to remain still as beads of sweat continued to roll down my neck and back into my wounds.
"I hear rumors" He said stepping forward closer to us motioning to me.
"If you do anything more then look, ever, I will carve your spirit out and make it wander houseless for a millennium. Make it known that's the fate awaiting any who would dare cross me. Should they forget Mairon's demonstration." Gothmog said shifting me in his arms so Langon could see me better. He leaned in closer to peer at me and I shivered at the black eyes boring into mine. I wanted to leave and think about Maitimo and his silver eyes telling me not to beg for him. If only I could be that strong. I closed my eyes and turned my face into Gothmog's chest hiding.
"Go Langon. Do not forget I've allowed you a great honor today" he said shifting me again so I was pulled tightly to him. I lifted my arms up and wrapped them around his neck hoping to bring relief to my back. I gazed up at him, but his was looking straight ahead as we walked. He never shows much emotion, but I get the feeling he's extremely self-satisfied about that interaction. I tried to peer over his shoulder to look at Langon behind us. My eyes widened in utter shock as he winked at me. That was such a bizarre looking action with no pupils. Almost as frightening as seeing an orc for the first time. I blinked and then he was gone. Just vanished. I don't know how he could've disappeared like that in a second. How odd.
I wanted to ask questions, but I also don't want to be punished for speaking out of turn. He didn't tell me how to get speaking permission. What if I'm dying or something?
"Speak your question" I froze in shock at his unexpected demand. How did he know? I stumbled slightly trying to make words form. "Don't waste time" his glow slightly intensified.
"I can't think when your frightening me with threats" the words poured out before I could stop them.
"Then speak without threat. For now. We are nearly to my territory and none will show themselves there without good cause while I train you. You may have three" His glow dimmed a bit and his grip loosed. Territory? Train me? Now I have a million more questions.
"Three?" I questioned puzzled.
"Three questions. Now two" he answered.
"that's not fair" I cried letting go of his neck.
He laughed. It was the first time I've ever heard such a sound from him. Bad enough when he smiled. His laugh was so much deeper and darker then Tar-Mairon's. What new devilry is this? I scowled then immediately wiped my expression when he glanced down at me.
"Who are Langon and Maitimo?" I asked instead trying to order my thoughts into what questions are the priority.
"Trying to seek two answers in one question. Perhaps not so foolish after all. Langon is a Maia of fancy words and speech. Sent to parley with the enemy, but of little consequence in might. Maitimo is the former high king of the Noldor, our enemy who came across the sea seeking to steal from our king's right and make war." He explained, but none of it made that much sense. Except Langon is obviously a diplomat, but something tells he probably has more influence here than what I'm being told. One more." He warned. I let out a long breath thinking. Ask about Haldamire, ask what he means by territory, or ask how I can ask for permission to speak?
"What if I need to ask you a question or say something? How do I tell you?" I asked finally as he pulled me away from him and set me down delicately. I leaned over trying not to cry as all my weight was suddenly applied to my injured feet.
"My little Airawende" he said in tone almost bordered with could pass as fondness "You have never wanted to say something without me being aware. I will notice and if I allow it then I will tell you. If I say nothing then stay silent". I bit my tongue keeping myself from responding. I was already at the end of my three questions. This is so frustrating! I raised my eyes appealing trying not to react to the pain, but he ignored me opening up a passage way.
He glanced at me with his red eyes scorching "When you manage to make it downstairs, I will show you where we live." I managed to suppress my tears until he was gone and then sat down in the hallway weeping.