1992

The five men from Numenor rode south on the western bank of the great river. The met only a few humans on their way, most were fishermen living close to the river.

As they traveled south a great mountain rose to the west. It was the last of the White Mountains. It was steep almost falling vertically. The party looked across the river and saw a rift in the mountains there.

"It is as the two mountain chain would fit together if the river and landscape around it would vanish;" Murazor said.

The found a small village where the river was broad but low and the current weak. The men tried to speak to them, but they could not understand each other. To their surprise, Murazor could speak with them. After he had spoken with the villagers, he said; "These are men of the house of Haladin, they fled Eriador from the wizard of the south to come here. They have agreed to sail us and our horses over the river.

His men was surprised, but they followed him, and all five sailed across the river. The sailors warned them to be careful on the eastern side.

The company followed a small river to the east until the mountains closed in on them and they had the steep rift shaped pass in front of them.

One of the men said; "this must be the place where the King of Numenor drew the enemy eastward. Our forefather came to the pass at the first battle against the enemy.

"I know the story. The mighty king Tar-Aldarion followed the Great King of the Elves. The climbed this pass. They started out before the sun rose and made it to the top just after noon. They were many men to start with, but the rest could not keep up with the two Kings. They turned back and the men below met them with touches. Thus, in less than a day and a night they made it to the top and back. It has been said that no man could repeat what Aldarion did, and he could only do it as he was following the Great King."

Murazor pointed to two of his men, "you will stay here! The rest of us will climb, starting tomorrow morning. At noon, we will decide whether to continue or not. If we continue, we will send the weariest back. You will stay in the valley a week before riding for help if we have not returned.

Next morning the three men left their two comrades and started the climb. The first part of the climb was not difficult but soon the path forward became steep and they had to avoid the small waterfall that would flow together in the river below, but made the rocks slippery and dangerous. At noon, they were only halfway to the top, but Murazor decided to continue. He let the men decide who should turn back, and the oldest, Nestion, was selected. The other three continued their journey to the top, but it was clear they would not make it before the sun set. Murazor hurried the men, and as the sun set the path started to become less steep. The three continued as the darkness came, until Murazor asked them to hold.

"Look!" He said, "The path is slowly leading downwards! We made it! Let us rest."

The men did not bother to eat. They have had lembas bread under the way, and now they just lay down a fell asleep on the soil.

It was morning when they awoke. They were unprepared for the attack that occurred and soon they were all overpowered without getting on their feet. The men realized it was orcs and tried to fight for their life against the much stronger enemy. One of the orcs hit one of the men with a deathly stroke with his mace, and Murazor and his remaining companion gave up fighting. The stood among the silent orcs for a while awaiting their fate, when a dark figure came.

Sauron looked at the dead man and his two prisoners. Then he addressed Murazor. He eyes filled Murazor with fear.

"I am the Kings son!" Murazor shouted. Sauron faced his companion; "Is he?" He asked. However, the man did not answer. Sauron understood that he despite his fear did not know; he returned to Murazor."

"I see no sign of royalty!" He said; "I know the King Heir is named Atanamir! He attended the feast for the White Tower."

"I was there!" Murazor said; "Atanamir is my brother, but I was born in Middle Earth. Only the King and his family know this!"

Sauron looked at him; "You speak the truth I see!" He turned to Murazors companion; "Which makes you obsolete!"

An eye from Sauron was enough; the orcs jumped Murazors companion and killed him.

Sauron took Murazor by the neck and said to him; "come with me!"

Murazor started walking; Sauron was behind him. They walked for hours. Murazor looked back from time to time, Sauron seem untouched by the walk, and even though they were alone, Murazor has no hope of escaping.

Finally, he said; "I cannot walk further. I need to rest!"

Sauron held him; "You will walk!" He took a bottle and forced the content into Murazor. It burned inside him, but made him able to walk further."

Even after the sun set Sauron forced Murazor to walk on. Eventually he collapsed and Sauron let him rest.

Murazor awoke next morning after the sun was up. He looked around and found Sauron standing next to him. Sauron grabbed him and lifted him to his feet; he made him look east.

"Now tell me if this matches your White Tower?" Sauron said.

Murazor got up. There was a big mountain in front of him. He slowly moved to the right so the landscape behind the mountains slowly appeared. Then a tower came into sight. This Tower was not White but Black as the night. It appeared to be twice the size of Angrenost.

"Behold Lugburz!" Sauron said.

Murazor stood in complete silence for a long time. He looked at the Tower. Huge birds seemed to be circling the top.

"What are these?" Murazor asked.

"There are the eagles of Melkor!" Sauron answered.

"Why do you not kill me?" Murazor asked.

Sauron replied; "In his possession, your King has Ni Rings, which his grandmother stole from me. I want these back. If you return them to me, I will promise you to become the mightiest of men. You will be King long after people have forgot Atanamir."

Murazor asked again; "how can that be?"

Sauron said; "because I can give make you live when other dies. You will not grow old under my command. And everything you learn will be added to what you already know."

Murazor said; "But there are in Numenor?"

Sauron said; "return with them and I will keep my promise. But do not put any of them on your fingers."

Murazor said; "and now what?"

Sauron said; "You are free to go. No servant of me will touch you, Murazor of Numenor. Anyway take this for protection!"

Sauron handed Murazor a knife.

Sauron left him and walked towards his tower. Murazor turned back. He found his way to the pass even though he rested a night. The bodies of his friends had gone. He climbed down and slept halfway down again.

When he returned to his camp. His friends were surprised to see him. The asked about his two companion, but he only said they died on the mountain by exhaustion.

"Let us return home;" he ordered.

However, Murazor was slow to return home. He returned to Tatyalonde. He let his companions return home, but stayed four year himself.