Author: MarieAmethyst
Title: Surrender to the Darkness
Rating: R
Chapter: Seven, Wine
Author's Notes: What can I say? No one else was writing Aragorn/Sauron slash, so I came up with this. Surrender is based off a lot of my own ideas, and how I view Lord of the Rings. To me Sauron isn't some big flaming eye, and the Nazgul aren't a bunch of almost dead guys running around mindlessly trying to find the One Ring. If you can't deal with that, then this isn't a fic for you. (*grin* Or anyone else, for that matter.) I've toyed with a couple ideas as to how to develop this, but for the most part I'm just writing as it comes to me. If you have any ideas/suggestions, please let me know! I'd be forever grateful. ^_^
I've went back and re-written the chapters a little, adding more and correcting mistakes, that sort of thing. The biggest change is to the character Gwen, in chapter six. Before I had planned on writing a back story to Surrender called Pieces of My Heart, but since that has gotten nowhere, I edited Gwen so she fits more readily in the fic until I can get Pieces written.
If you're having trouble picturing Sauron as something other than a big flaming eyeball, think of Armand from Interview With the Vampire. But with longer hair. ^_~
UPDATE 12/31/08: Since so many of you have begged nicely and tracked me down all over the 'Net to ask me if I was ever going to finish it, I have decided to continue Surrender! …Of course I have no idea how I am going to do this, so it should be interesting. :D First off is an overhaul of the story, especially Aragorn's character; he kind of bothers me now. So be looking for updates in 2009. Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews/e-mails/comments (I was even mentioned in an article on Aestheticism, lol)! This is for you guys. :)
-*-*-*-
You can't abandon me
You belong to me
Breathe in and take my life in you
No longer myself only you
There's no escaping me, my love
Surrender
-*-*-*-
"For nothing is evil in the beginning. Even Sauron was not so."
~Elrond during the Council of Elrond, FotR~
~*~
Without a sound the door swung inward, permitting a few beams of light to escape from within. A slight fragrance teased his sense, and with a start he realized it was the same that had been in the dream. Roses.
Filing that insight to the back of his mind, he strode forward unhesitatingly into the open doorway. He stopped just as quickly at the scene that greeted him.
A large canopied bed occupied much of the room, draped in layers of black silk. Tapestries, threaded with rich colorful strands, covered most of the wall space. Equally exquisite rugs were scattered on the floor. An unlit fireplace was opposite from the bed and across the room stood another closed door. Overall it presented a cozy feel that one would not expect of the Dark Lord's quarters.
And occupying the bed…
"Come in, Lord Aragorn."
He started, jerking his eyes away from the sight of the lovely pale body spread out on the bed, a stark contrast to the black silk sheets beneath his body. He swallowed slightly, what he had planned to say vanishing from his mind as swiftly as the winds breezed through the trees in far away Rivendell. The dream still fresh in his mind, Aragorn knew his emotions were running high and stretched thin. He realized his mistake, to face the Dark Lord so soon...
"Shut the door if you intend to stay." Amusement was clearly heard in his tone.
Aragorn did just that, grey eyes never leaving ebony. "I wish to speak with you."
Sauron stretched lightly, muscles rippling under the pale skin. With a mental sigh of relief the Ranger saw that the other was clothed in dark trousers. "I am correct to assume you are referring to the little dream sharing? Do not deny it, my lord, I saw and felt your reactions. You enjoyed it as much as I did. If not more."
Already shaking his head before the other had finished, Aragorn fought down the foolish part of himself that wanted to agree. "Nay, to me you appeared as another. I only bear those feelings for one: Arwen, the Lady Evenstar."
In one fluid motion Sauron sat up, stray locks of raven hair flowing in waves to frame the beautiful face, adding to the allure that his mere presence exerted. Idly a pale hand reached out to grasp the crystal goblet filled with dark red wine that rested on the table beside the bed. Catching Aragorn's eyes, he brought the goblet to his lips and drank slowly, visibly savoring the wine. Smiling his pleasure and licking a few drops that glistened on his lips, he asked, "Is that so?"
He shook himself from the slight daze he had fallen into. "Yes."
"Interesting," Sauron murmured as he reclined back onto one arm and took another sip from the goblet.
"What is, that I could care so much for someone? I doubt you know what it is like to love a person so much that you would do anything to bring a smile to their face, that you would give your life to keep them safe from any harm. Have you ever loved someone that much, Lord Sauron?" Aragorn stopped and drew into a deep breath, mentally bracing himself if Sauron decided to take offense.
But Sauron just gazed up at him, an unreadable look on his face. Sipping again from the goblet, he transferred his gaze to a part on the wall and seemed to be contemplating the question. Finally, he said, "I did love someone once, loved him so much that I did do anything to bring a smile to his face, and would have gladly gave my life to have kept him safe." Once again looking at the Ranger and seeing the disbelieving look on his face, he asked with an arched eyebrow, "Does it really surprise you that much?"
"Should it not?" Aragorn countered, "given your reputation for cruelty and disregard for anyone but yourself, most would find it hard to believe that you could bear such feelings for another."
"I was not always the man I am now."
It was Aragorn's turn to arch an eyebrow at the Dark Lord, "So what changed you?"
Lifting the goblet to his mouth and draining it, Sauron smiled mockingly, "What else? Power, Lord Aragorn, power and the chance to control perhaps millions of lives. It is a tantalizing prospect, especially for one who has always desired such."
"You gave up who you were just for power?" Aragorn asked. "Sacrificing your beliefs and principles merely to control lives?" He tilted his head slightly as if intensely curious, "And how did the man you love take your new personality change?"
"As I said, power can be very enticing for one already hungry for even a taste of it. As for my… beloved, I suppose you could say, he was already dead. In a way, his death was another factor. If I had the power I have now he would not have died. I could have prevented his death, and he would be alive and at my side." Sauron said with a trace of bitterness in his voice.
"And you would not have a desire for me?" Aragorn speculated, wondering if it had been wise to continue this thread of discussion.
Sauron smiled wickedly, once again in control of himself, "Oh, I seriously doubt that, my Lord Aragorn. I seriously doubt that." Sitting up sinuously, he reached for the pitcher that was on the table next to the bed, and refilled the goblet. After replacing the pitcher, he glanced up and asked, "Thirsty?"
His mouth, suddenly feeling dry, reminded him that he had not drank anything in days. He knew his own limits and how long he could survive without liquid, and knew he was drawing near to it. Glancing at the goblet, then at the man lounging on the silk-covered bed, he nodded in reply.
Sliding off the bed with a cat-like movement, Sauron stood; his fair, slender body only enhanced by the contrast of his dark trousers against his pale skin. He approached Aragorn slowly, a slight smile playing about his mouth. When the Ranger reached out a hand, he merely shook his head. Stopping just mere inches in front of him, he drank from the goblet, then quickly bent down and claimed the other's mouth with his own.
Aragorn's lips parted in surprise, giving Sauron the entrance he needed. Wine flooded into his mouth, a mixture of sweet and bitter with a hint of something that reminded him of the Dark Lord. He swallowed quickly, but not before a tongue had darted in to taste.
Just as quickly as it had happened, Sauron released his lips and moved back. The slight smile had grown into a wicked smirk. He licked his own lips, and said, "You taste sweeter than any wine, my Lord Aragorn.
"But you are hungry and Lady Genevieve has requested your presence for super. Since she is one of the few people I do have a certain fondness for, I try to keep her happy. Of course there is an ulterior motive to that; keeping her happy keeps her husband happy, who in turn keeps me happy. I digress though. There is an escort outside that will take you to Lady Genevieve. Enjoy your meal, my Lord Aragorn."
Sauron turned away and began walking toward the other door.
"You will not be joining us?" Aragorn asked, surprising even himself with the question. He did not wish to spend any more time in the Dark Lord's company than absolutely necessary.
Sauron glanced back at him through strands of ebony hair, a knowing look on his face. "I find I have a hunger for something else entirely. Now if you wish to indulge in a taste of that meal, you are more than welcome to join me in the bath I am about to take." Tossing an enticing look over his shoulder, he continued on, opening the door and disappearing into the chamber beyond.
Aragorn gazed at the opened doorway for a moment, before turning and exiting into the hallway with an exasperated sigh.