***Chapter 21***
**Saffy's POV**
Deirdre had left us to think over her words, reminding us of the time limit that was set before us. We had until morning to come to a decision. At which point we would be brought before Sauron once more and either declare our fealty or die.
"Maybe we swear fealty." Merry suggested, breaking the quiet which had fallen over us since she left. "We would live beyond tomorrow and maybe have the chance to get that necklace off of Deirdre. It would be better than leaving the world to rot."
"How can we trust that she is telling the truth that we will live past tomorrow even if we do swear fealty?" Legolas questioned.
"Because they need us." I said, earning a couple of 'what's and a few 'why's. "Because our group contains representatives of four different kingdoms. Two kings, a prince, and a lord."
"She's right." Aragorn admitted. "It is in their better interests to keep us alive. It gives them examples of the subservience of our kingdoms as well as bargaining chips for those they haven't captured yet."
"Eowyn and Faramir are yet out of his control. They may still fight back." Eomer reasoned.
"Not with you here, Eomer." Nimiwen informed him. "Your sister would not risk your safety if she can help it."
"Then what choice do we have but to swear fealty." Gimli questioned gruffly.
"None." Aragorn stated with a tone of finality.
**Deirdre's POV**
Anxiety was filling me as every second passed bringing me closer to the dawn. I hoped that they would swear fealty, otherwise I didn't want to think about the fact that I might have to kill them should they remain defiant. After lying restlessly in my bed for several hours, I had given up the attempt at rest and instead was staring out into the black of night from my balcony.
Slowly as the hours passed, the dark of night began to lighten with the dawn. Mordor could not be called bright by any stretch of the imagination, but the fires of the mountain ensured that even in the middle of the night there was still the stain of red across the land. When the sky was beginning to turn first pale pink and then the yellow of sunlight as the sun rose over the horizon, Morwen came into my chamber.
"You are awake, my lady." She exclaimed in surprise at seeing me standing on the balcony.
"Yes." I replied, turning away from the outside world and walking back into my room.
"Have you already bathed?" she questioned, her eyes moving over to the attached bathroom before settling back on me.
"No, Morwen, I haven't. Would you call the servants to bring the water?"
She nodded her head and moved out into the hallway to get the servants. I moved back out onto the balcony, staring once more out at the lands around me.
"Please just kneel." I pleaded to the air.
***End Chapter 21***
Hey, sorry that it has been so long since I have updated. I have just felt really burnt out by this story and it really kinda hurt to write it. I know that this chapter is short, but it seemed like the right place to stop. I am going to try and write some more for this story, I think I might be in the appropriate mind set and finally forgiven myself for the Gandalf thing. Hopefully there are still some of you out there who want to read.
Please Read and Review
-Serrah