Return of the Witch King
Chapter 7
"It is a very good question and I marveled at it myself. I believe the Udun's hold onto this world has been corrupted through the actions of Morgoth, the Dark Outsider.
All creature of fire, smoke and shadows appear to have been made by the Udun. The ones that learned how to use fire to shape metals, possibly as well, including the dwarves.
They used to carry his dark flame inside of their very essence, and used to do his bidding.
It is my impression that before the Outsider and the Valar started playing their games at Arda, the Udun already existed and had his own games and armies.
Then Morgoth did something, a twist to the nature of reality. A twist to life, and a twist to the dark flame. He had subverted Udun's power and made even the Balrog his slaves.
I am still not fully sure about what the Udun needs. He made this Orc child into his mouth piece, and the boy lays fevered, unable to utter any useful prophecies.
I think the Udun seeks to destroy the Outsider's last hold onto this world and destroying his fortress and the necromancers who made it into their nesting ground seems to be the required solution.
In truth I was surprised that the Udun considered my own high Master too corrupted to be of service, but not myself. Perhaps it takes proximity to the Outsider's corrupt essence that I never was..graced with," the Witch King suddenly quipped, feeling mysteriously at ease with his dragonian companion.
"As another point of interest that I cannot currently confirm, the Udun may have been the source of all dragons as well, he has sanctioned the release of your brethren in a previous prophecy.
It is unfortunate his chosen orc collapsed before he could carry on the valuable work of guiding us. But my healers are working to fix him, and soon we may be able to uncover more." the Nazgul wistfully concluded, ready to march on into yet another campaign, to feel alive once more.
"So we need this orc healed in order to gain more knowledge in order to proceed forth, "Smaug questioned. "Is there anything else to be done in the interim?"
Gollum, for his part, still crooned to 'Precious, now seated on the ground, near Smaug's flank and out of the way of the dragon's occasional lashing tail. The former hobbit was practically curled around the ring in his grip, not unlike a dragon with its treasure. From time to time he'd tap or shake the ring, hissing "Precious! Wake up? Wake itself up, Precious! Things is happening, they are!"
"Yes the Orc child needs to heal. If he cannot be healed, I trust another mouth piece would take his place. As for what else can be done, I am curious. I heard rumors that you have with you a Ring Bearer? You wouldn't happen to have an access to a surviving Ring of Power somehow? The Udun has not commanded it, but my ability to prepare our attack could increase tenfold if you generously share the Ring, dearest Smaug," The Witch King admitted, still remembering the awful pull.
His mentor in magic and awareness that called him through his own ring, the Tengwar spell inciting the red flame inside of his own.
Absently rubbing his own ring, the Witch King could vividly remember who well Sauron's gift delivered on its promise, magnifying his powers, teaching him new skills, opening his eyes to the secret lore. He could admit to missing it still, even though the eternal itch subsided over the time.
Smaug's cavernous mouth spread in a toothy smile that all but the likes of The Witch King himself, perhaps, would cringe and quiver and quail to behold. "Indeed I have one who could hold the ring better than most. And he even has a ring. Yes indeed you may have it."
And with a move as fast as lightning, faster perhaps, the golden dragon's left foreclaws were around the creature formerly known as Smeagol. With one deft movement he tore the ring from his grip and tossed it at the feet of the leader of Nazgul.
"Silence yourself," Smaug hissed. This was obviously directed to Gollum who writhed and twisted in his grip, shrieking for Precious, thin fingers clawing at the unyielding claws of the dragon.
"I can perhaps attempt to heal your Orc vessel but that ring...It is a bad ring. A ring to make a person forget themselves. A danger most can not comprehend for if you are not you, you do not drive your own will and nothing is worth that price."
Golden Smaug was reminded unpleasantly of the grip the Arkenstone had on him in a similar though not near as drastic a way.
"I allowed the thing to be destroyed. I chose not to save it."
His glare hardened on the witch king. "The others were destroyed by dragon fire. Why do you think that was? Do you truly think we would serve anyone much less your Former master?" He made a point to stress the word 'former.'