A/N: Hello Readers! This three-part short story takes place years after the War of Wrath, assuming that Sauron had willingly went back to Valinor with Eönwe to face judgement rather than fled. Sauron is still struggling to be free of the darkness that taints his spirit, and a former colleague is determined to prove that Sauron is not sincere in his repentance and belongs in the Void with Morgoth. Aulë steps in to resolve the matter.

There is an OC involved, but the story is centered on Sauron. I have adopted the idea Tolkien once had, that the Valar could have children. This story introduces my headcanon, that Sauron is one of three sons to Aulë and Yavanna. I think this idea would pull more heartstrings with this story's plot, make Sauron's repentance more genuine, and give a good reason why he would want to return to home again.

Enjoy!


When Sauron stepped through the iron doors, his expression fell when he noticed the forge was packed with blacksmiths. The maia paused for a minute to take in the rush of the workers, seeing tons of familiar faces and even more unfamiliar faces. Metals of all sorts, including silver and gold, were being shaped and toted to and from, furnaces were continuously being loaded and unloaded, and a wall full of tools were being swapped and returned. Projects sat by the hundreds in the back, ready to be given out. The pattern the smiths worked in was almost rhythmic, reminding Sauron of the busy days of his apprenticeship.

The maia had to remind himself that he was in Aulë's House once more after realizing the smiths were crafting building materials and jewelry, rather than war weapons or armor. He was used to seeing the dark forges within Morgoth's fortresses, with maiar consisting of arrowsmiths and bladesmiths wearing similar armor and grim looks upon their pale faces.

Aulë's Hall was full of gold craftsmanship and warm lights, like a summer's sunset. The forge had a beautiful view of Valinor and it's heavenly landscape. Mount Taniquetil could faintly be seen miles away. Waterfalls glistened with the evening sun and Sauron could feel the fresh air blowing in from the open windows. Some of the vala's maiar stood by the banisters, taking a break from work and conversing over fruit served fresh from Yavanna's gardens.

Too late to turn around and leave, Sauron stepped further into the forge. His nerves started to eat at him with so many people there, but thankfully he wasn't attracting anyone's attention. He had previously hoped with the evening hours getting later, the forge would be cleared out.

'Aulë must have them on a deadline if this many are working so late…' he thought.

The red-headed maia then noticed the fourth workstation to the right. All of the maiar in the forge had their own stations that were given to them the first day they worked for Aulë, however this one sat empty.

And has sat empty for hundreds of years.

Approaching the table, Sauron felt an unfamiliar wave of nostalgia hit him. It was his old workstation from when he still served Aulë, his first and last workstation before his leave to Middle Earth. His tools sat untouched on the wall, covered in cobwebs and dust. Some had even rusted.

Smiling softly, he picked up a sleek, silver hammer. Brushing the dust off the tool, he looked over it and noticed the engraving on the handle.

'To my son…'

Breathing deeply, the maia set aside the tool when he noticed a bunch of rolled-up blueprints in the corner of the table. Unraveling them, his golden eyes scanned over his old notes and sketches of jewelry he planned on crafting before he turned to Morgoth's forces. Sauron smirked at the simple designs, realizing how much he had learned since then. The notes almost seemed childish and inexperienced compared to the knowledge he had now.

Looking around briefly, Sauron noticed his presence still went unrecognized and he continued with his plan to make one or two pieces of jewelry. As the maia collected his resources, his eyes would trail his surroundings, as if staying alert of danger.

He was not afraid of his former colleagues. Fear wasn't the right word. He was cautious, knowing they, like many others in Valinor, disagreed with his recent release from the Halls of Mandos. Years earlier, he had surrendered willingly when Eönwe found him in the rubble of the War of Wrath. He sat before the fourteen Valar to hear his sentence, had nearly all his powers bound as punishment, and served a century in Námo's halls. Yet, those who resided in Valinor still frowned upon the Valar and their decision.

What more did they want? Sauron sighed immediately upon asking himself that question, knowing the bitter answer.

'They want the Void to be my fate, just like Morgoth. They wish nothing more…'

Therefore, since his release, Sauron took extra care to stay clear of everyone, whether they meant well or not. Surprisingly, there were some that had agreed with the Valar's vision, and believed he spoke true of his road to redemption.

Even yet, Sauron avoided those individuals. The former lieutenant was exhausted and drained of energy, having spent a quarter of his time in the Hall of Mandos with medical care to help him get through the withdrawals of the dark powers. He didn't want trouble with anyone, and simply wished to be left alone.

Though Sauron was relieved to leave Mandos' halls, he definitely did not want to return back to Aulë's House so soon. But Námo had suggested it would have helped his rehabilitation if he was surrounded by family versus strangers. The maia didn't see any difference.

The blacksmith took a glance at his wrist, noticing the thick, golden bracelet that hugged it. It fit snug, but not uncomfortably, and a matching one sat on the opposite wrist. They were specially crafted by Aulë himself, but they were more than just two pieces of jewelry. They acted as a restrictor for the powers that Morgoth had gifted his lieutenant. Just the sight of them reminded Sauron of his trial and the excruciating pain he had endured when his powers were sealed. The darkness had severely tainted his spirit, so the bracelets had a grip on his natural maiarian powers as well.

Sighing, Sauron hoped he didn't make a mistake going to the forge in the first place. Aulë had given his smiths an order to leave him be when the day came that the maia decided to go to the forge again. Eru only knew if they had decided to listen.

So far, so good. No one bothered the maia as he blended right in with the other blacksmiths. He received a few blank looks but nothing more. Minutes turned into a couple hours, and Sauron had nearly completed the revisions of his old projects, ready to be crafted.

It wasn't until he started gathering supplies for the first project that he noticed the other maiar beginning to stare at him warily. He gave them all an emotionless glare before he continued his work. He made a promise to Aulë to keep his peace, and in return he earned his rights to the forge. Sauron didn't want this privilege revoked over petty glares, though he wondered why he was just now starting to get nasty looks. Did they not notice he had been amongst them for hours now?

The red-headed smith didn't look back up until someone's shadow loomed over his work station, darkening it to the point of losing concentration. Rolling his eyes with an irritated sigh, Sauron made eye contact with whoever dared to interrupt him. He recognized the smith, much to his distaste. The long, raven-black hair tied in braids, the pale skin, blinding silver eyes…

"May I help you, Aissir?" Sauron hissed displeasingly. "I believe Aulë gave you all an order to leave me be."

For a moment, his eyes glistened a threatening golden glow as he glanced around at the other maiar behind the approaching smith. They shrunk back in fear, but the smith before him only smiled.

"That's Master Aulë to you, Sauron," Aissir hissed back. "Or do you still think yourself above us all and lost all respect?"

Sauron arched an eyebrow in amusement. That was a straightforward, aggressive comment. Did he really want to cause trouble here and now of all places?

'Of course he does. Aulë isn't around to stop him. Anything said or done will be in his favor,' Sauron thought to himself.

Instead of replying, Sauron shook his head and returned to his work, turning his back on the black-haired maia. The forge was dead silent as if waiting for Sauron to throw an attack in some way. However, they found it more unsettling when Sauron instead remained quiet and collected.

Aissir laughed darkly at the other's silence, his eyes gleaming. "You haven't changed at all. Still as spoiled and rude as ever. I won't ever forget how Aulë dropped everything to keep you happy, even if it meant neglecting his other students."

Sauron smirked as the insult hit him. But he refused to let his irritation show. "You haven't changed much either, Aissir. I can't believe Aulë still has you in his service, as your work clearly shows you haven't learned a thing since I've been gone."

A small tint of red darkened Aissir's thin face, unable to conceal his anger as well as Sauron could. "We used to be such great friends, you and I, Sauron. I even helped train you and your brother here in the forge when you were young. You know when you left, Aulë put Curumo in charge? Of course, that would have been your job if you had stayed."

Sighing heavily, a crossed look of impatience darkened Sauron's eyes. "What do you want?" he finally asked.

"Just to talk," Aissir answered. He took a look at Sauron and cringed sincerely. "I know only a few who suffered Morgoth's wrath. You look like you went through quite a rough time when you were brought back from Middle Earth."

When Sauron didn't comment, Aissir continued. His expression had darkened. "You've been in rehab for decades, and you look no better nor is your attitude any better. But I have to ask- how in Eru's name were you released from Námo's Halls so soon? Morgoth had stayed locked up for three ages the first time the Valar took him prisoner!"

Sauron didn't bother answering. Instead, he pushed past Aissir with still, focused eyes to grab more tools on the wall. Each maia he walked towards scrambled out of his way. It amused him that they continued to stay clear of him, unlike the one who was quickly eating at his nerves.

But the taunting smith followed him purposely, eagerly poking the fire. He shook his head dismissingly. "Let me rephrase that: Why does Aulë want you here? You've-..."

"For matters that involve you none!" Sauron growled, interrupting him sharply. Someone gasped behind them, and the room fell deathly silent. The two maiar held hate-filled glares before another cruel smirk crossed Aissir's lips.

"Oh, forgive me," he mocked. "It must have been such an emotional time for you both."

Sauron started to feel his skin crawl in irritation. He glanced down at the thick golden bracelets on his wrists that glowed ever so softly. The slight shock they caused reminded him to keep his temper in check. The bracelets essentially gave the maia a second chance, as they were to accompany his rehab and to assist the Valar in keeping a better eye on the former lieutenant. If Sauron were to use any of his dark powers, the bracelets would shock him at a near-lethal level. If they were removed or broken…

Sauron shuddered at the thought of being tossed into the Void. The Valar were merciful, but they would not give him another chance, and Sauron was informed of his fate if he broke the rules of his sentence.

To calm himself, he furthermore tried to ignore Aissir and continue working, though he was highly distracted by now and aware of Aissir's plan. But he would not jeopardize his life over a smith that clearly wanted him to snap on purpose.

But Aissir would not have it. He snatched the blueprints from Sauron and tossed them aside, silver eyes glowing dangerously. Sauron's mature and calm demeanor infuriated him to no extent.

"You're an arrogant one, aren't you?!" the smith yelled. "You betrayed us all, betrayed your father! You were given a special role by Eru as a Child of the Valar, and you threw that away like it was nothing! And yet, Aulë welcomes you back home with open arms after the black deeds you've done! He is a blind fool!"

The room gasped when Sauron dropped his tools, turned, and took two steps to be just inches from Aissir's face. Unfortunately, the maia's plan was working and Sauron's patience was running thin. They could see fire dancing in his golden eyes again. "I suggest you heed Aulë's warnings, and Leave. Me. Be." Sauron threatened darkly with clenched teeth.

"Or what? You'll attack me?" Aissir arched an eyebrow. "Violence is frowned upon here, Sauron."

Sauron's jaw locked angrily, his unblinking eyes glowing with impatience. But his tone remained steady. "You're right, I won't. Attacking you would be a waste of time," He muttered.

"You won't or you can't? I know of those fancy bracelets that sit on your wrists. Made to hold monsters like you. You're powerless here, Sauron!"

Sauron began to shake slightly with anger, biting his tongue so hard he tasted blood. He stood unblinking, even as Aissir pointed a sharp finger in front of his nose. "Morgoth was incapable of repentence, and so are you! All the lives you took, the lands you've destroyed, the families you've crushed; you're not sorry for any of it! The Valar will soon realize this! You will follow Morgoth into the Void, you sorry-...!"

The smith was cut short when Sauron snatched him by the throat and slammed him against the wall. The black-haired maia struggled to breathe and he tried his best to break free. His skin ran cold.

"Imprudent subject!" Sauron hissed. "You think these cuffs can save you?!"

But Aissir got exactly the response he wanted. He broke free from the choke hold and he and Sauron engaged in a dangerous fight. The two of them slammed into tables, furnaces, and tool racks in attempt to gravely injure the other. Little did they know someone had ran for help just as things were starting to look bloody. Aissir used his advantage of throwing attacks of magic at Sauron, but the former lieutenant of Morgoth was highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, moving so quickly that Aissir couldn't even conjure any spells. When both maiar were beaten, bloody, and bruised, a sudden flash of light blinded the room and in seconds, everything was silent.

Sauron felt a rush of power flow through his veins like water refreshing a dehydrated body, and he immediately looked down at the bracelets on his wrists. They were cracked, light seeping through the master-crafted metal. It was minimal, but the faint taste of darkness began to cloud Sauron's senses as the bracelets' power continued to falter and release their hold on the maia. Hate filled the red-headed smith's eyes as he knew the fool that dared to provoke him would fall at his feet.

"Mairon, no!" A sudden desperate cry called out. Sauron recognized the voice, but the abhorrence, the darkness, the embarrassment, his hatred blinded him in a red-seeing rage.

Just as Sauron was about attack Aissir with a deadly strike, Aulë shoved past his students and sent a spell himself to stop Sauron. The blast of bright magic struck Sauron in the head, and he stumbled as he felt his body being weighed down with paralysis. Panic began to clutch at his chest, realizing he was trapped and the spell kept an unnatural hold on him.

The room had remained silent as the other smiths stayed clear of the fight and Aissir lay on the ground in shock at the scene before him. Aulë's breath was short and panicked as he froze in place, eyeing the maia he had just struck moments ago.

'I attacked my boy…' he thought with tears burning in his eyes, 'I had to attack my boy…'

When he started to approach his son, breath still hitching and in shock, he only feared what would happen to Sauron, not in this moment, but in his future. He had only caught the latter half of the fight, but it was enough for him to see things could have quickly gone wrong.

However, just as he was merely a few feet from his son, light started to flash from the bracelets again as Sauron had slowly regained his footing and began to break free from the spell. Looking around, he could see his father's stunned look mixed equally with worry and disbelief. Fear began to take hold of the maia again as he remembered the consequences of breaking the rules of his sentence.

Running would only worsen things, but he had no choice. Aulë wouldn't think twice. He couldn't let the Void be his fate.

Aulë seen this and held up his hands in peace. He could see the growing fear behind his son's eyes as Sauron struggled against the paralyzing spell. "Mairon, calm down! Everything will be-…!"

The vala never got the chance to finish speaking. Sauron grunted in pain as he fought against the remainder of the vala's power, and shockingly, he stood up and attempted to run. Fighting against Aulë's power exhausted him excessively, and he cried out as he continuously fell to his knees as if his boots were glued to the stone floor. Knowing he was running out of options, Sauron used the remainder of his power to take form of bat and fly just over the group of terrified maiar and his father. He was out of sight before anyone could react.

"Mairon! Stop!" Aulë called out, his cry leaving all the smiths' ears ringing. As the excitement in the room began to die down with the dark maia's absence, it did not take long for the uncomfortable tension to return. The vala's golden eyes were glowing, with a hint of crimson clouding his irises. His students had only seen him lose his temper once.

It did not end well.

"Master! Thank Eru you arrived in time!" Aissir was heard to Aulë's left, rubbing his throat from the previous attack. He feigned relief in his voice as he bowed clumsily. "If you had not been here, he…"

"What were you thinking?!" Aulë demanded, giving full attention to one of his lead blacksmiths, "Is it true, Aissir? Another worker came to me and told me what was happening! Is it true you started that fight?!"

Aissir looked insulted. "What?! You saw what he did! He shouldn't have been here in the forge, Master! Why is he-..."

"Answer my question first!"

"Well...yes...but-...!"

"You were provoking him on purpose?!" Aulë roared, causing all of his students to cower. "Why would you stir an unnecessary fire?"

Aissir flinched, unable to answer. Eyes narrowing, he dared to stand up from one knee to confront his boss. "But he attacked me first, Master Aulë! You seen it for yourself! He tried to kill me!"

"And what were my orders?" Aulë questioned, dismissing the comment. When nothing but the furnaces' hiss was heard in the forge, his own golden eyes narrowed as he turned to all of his students. "Someone bloody answer me! What were my orders?!"

"To stay away from him, Master..." Another intimidated maia piped up from the back.

"I said to stay away from him if there was ill in your heart! Mairon is still very much unwell, and does not need to feel threatened when he is finally home!"

"But he isn't Mairon anymore!" Aissir dared to retort, "He was Morgoth's lieutenant! You saw how he broke free from those cuffs?! You said yourself the Valar bound all of his powers with those, and yet he still managed to do that? That proves my point!"

"The powers he received from Morgoth were bound! I crafted those bracelets myself, however, they must not have been strong enough..." Aulë admitted. When he got surprised glances from his students, he sighed and gave them a slightly fearful look. "Mairon has been taught power even beyond my understanding. And only Eru knows how much of Morgoth's power still runs through his spirit, despite the powers being bound."

"All of his power should have been bound, Master!"

"It is cruel to bound a maia's natural power; you all know this!" Aulë shook his head stressfully. "And now because of your foolishness, that may just happen or he will have to serve extra time in Mandos' Halls. He may even be sentenced to the Void! Everything was going okay until now. You disappoint me, Aissir…"

Silence befell the forge once more before Aissir crossed his arms and snickered, remaining angry. "So be it. I know he is your son, Master, but you are blind. I saw it myself- there is no hope for Sauron, just as there has been no hope for any of Morgoth's subjects..."

Aulë only kept a stern, steel gaze on his student. "There was hope for your brother, who had fallen into the same trap Mairon did and is now back in my service. Watch your words."

The dark-haired smith indeed regretted his words as he glanced over his shoulder at his twin brother who stood not too far away. The scowl the other maia had on his face disapproved of his brother's actions and heartless words.

Aulë, no longer able to bear the heartlessness of one of his best workers, shook his head as he turned to leave the forge in hopes of finding his son. He paused in silence for many minutes, leaving his students wondering what was swarming his troubled mind.

"Aissir…" Aulë's deep voice sounded again. "I want you to gather your belongings and get out. You will no longer work for me."

The vala made stern eye contact with Aissir when he received no reply. His student looked shocked at first, then hurt and disappointed. He removed the leather apron around his torso, holding it in his hand with a fuming grip. "So be it. I no longer wish to be a subject of your service if that monster is still around." he muttered.

"That monster is my son. And you will not talk about him in such way. He has shown proof of repentance and is trying to get better; he only needs time. I will not ask again. Get your things and leave," Aulë repeated with danger rumbling in his voice.

Aissir looked hesitant, especially with the other students' and his brother's gazes fixed on him. But he obeyed and did as he was told, sloppily hanging the apron on the wall of hooks before his departure.


A/N: Part two will be posted soon! Thanks for reading!