I sighed as I set aside the repoussé punch and hammer I was currently using, rubbing my temples as the jingling sound echoed in my head. Goodness, I'm really going to have to remember to wear earbuds the next time. Although…
At least now I'll know how to get out of unwanted socializing. Not that I wasn't good at faking a headache, it honestly was one of the simplest things to do. But I wouldn't have to feel bad about lying.
Ignoring the forming headache, I lifted the heavy bowl of wood tar, where a thin, small sheet of brass was safely secured.
Now, I must admit I was still new in this particular area of art, and was far from being a master. Nonetheless, I felt my lips stretch into a victorious grin as I studied the cavities in metal, their shape already resembling what I was aiming for: a dragon eye. Or rather, part of it, as the eyeball will be made from copper to compliment the golden color and add depth.
The small smile quickly vanished, however, as I glanced behind me, and my eyes settled on the still empty canvas, impatiently waiting on the easel.
Grumbling under my breath, I set the bowl down on the table and stretched, uncomfortably aware of the work I still had to do.
I completely lost track of time (despite the watch on my wrist), engrossed in my own little project, forgetting about my priority. Or, what should have been my priority.
But wasn't.
Don't get me wrong; painting was something I very much enjoyed. But for the time being it was secondary, for I found something that could potentially become the love of my life. Metaphorically. But…
A grunt of displeasure escaped my throat as I remembered that it wasn't a simple session of "painting for fun and practice", but an order I'd get actual money for. Which I needed, if I was going to pursue my newest passion. And just as with most orders, there was a deadline.
Which was due in two days.
Sighing, I stood up and went to fetch my painting supplies.
—-
– Shiiiit… – I trailed off and swiftly grabbed a cloth, wiping the drop of coloured water steadily marking its path to the bottom of the canvas in a deep red. How the hell could I even forget about drying the brush?! I was supposed to be a professional!
Cursed headache.
Throwing the piece of fabric aside, I stifled a swear word threatening to break free from my throat as my eyes were met with a faint streak of a reddish color on the painting.
Damn.
Although I must admit that it did make me chuckle a little bit after a few seconds; the trail started at the bottom of an eye, making the puppy look as if it was crying bloody tears. Of course it didn't look in any way realistic, as it lacked all the details I'd have to add. My mischievous side perked up at the thought of the prank I could play, and all the effects it would cause. With shame, I have to confess that the tempting idea was rather hard to banish from my mind. But I needed the money, so with regret, I started working on covering up all proof of the setback.
Time seemed to flow, and I soon realized the sun had already set. Frowning, I looked at my phone, and my eyebrow slowly rose. It would appear I've been painting for a few hours already.
Huh.
Oh well. I guess I could use a break anyway.
With that thought in mind, I grabbed my jacket and locked my workshop, and headed to my small home. Well, not exactly mine. Mine and my parents'. But they were gone for a few days, so… temporarily mine. And wasn't that great?
I stopped in my tracks when my phone buzzed. Fishing it out of my pocket, I quickly typed in the password. And behold; a text from my friend that hasn't responded to my message from four days ago appeared. And he wanted to play Assassin's Creed. Tonight. In my house. It was already past ten, for heaven's sake! Besides, I already had plans, and didn't really feel like socializing. No, scratch that; I just really didn't feel like socializing on my last day of being alone.
Bemused, I typed a response.
"It's late".
That should do it.
It didn't.
"I bought Syndicate, could bring it over. You can tell me some facts about lotr".
Hm... I admit, that was a little tempting. Especially since nobody really wants to listen when I obsess over something. Which happens quite often, and my current obsession was – as you can tell – LOTR. The Hobbit and Silmarillion too. Everything Middle Earth related, actually.
And it wasn't even the first time. It was that one obsession that refuses to completely let go. It fades one moment, and returns the next, but more intense.
Like Sauron. Heh.
I really didn't care what other people said. He was cool, and one of the best villains to ever exist. Even if he wasn't really a villain, in my opinion. He did have noble intentions, after all. At least in the beginning. And who's to say he had a good life in Almaren, or Valinor? For all I know, he could've been underappreciated. Underestimated. Heck, it could've been Aulë that was the main reason for his fall. After all, weren't Mairon and Curumo both apprentices of him? And coincidentally – or not – both strayed from the light. Perhaps the vala was a strict perfectionist, seldom giving compliments. Also, wasn't Fëanor said to be his greatest pupil? And since Mairon was a lot older than Fëanor and was Aulë's greatest apprentice (at least initially), maybe the maia got jealous, and therefore sided with Morgoth, since the vala was oh so similar to Aulë. Perhaps Mairon just wanted to be appreciated. And honestly, I didn't blame him. If he was able to do all the work he's credited for, Aulë was being awful if he didn't pay much attention to his maia.
Going back to the matter at hand…
I thought for a moment longer whether I should let my friend come over, even if I didn't feel like it. My parents complained about my (in their mind) antisocial behavior to the point of nearly driving me mad, so they'd probably be happy if they heard about me inviting someone to hang out with. But, as somebody wise once said: "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us". I fully agreed.
And I decided I wanted to spend the last day of having the house to myself alone.
With a lighter heart, I quickly typed a response.
"Sorry, but I really have to go to bed early today, I have a headache. What about tomorrow?"
There. That'll do it. My parents will even witness me socializing, and perhaps my need for solitude will fade a bit.
Everyone will be happy.
And besides, I did have a headache. I didn't lie.
—-
Meanwhile elsewhere…
The sun neared the horizon, drowning the vast forest once again in impenetrable darkness. Its residents hastily scurried to their homes, not wanting to have an unfortunate meeting with the… less docile beings.
Especially the ones that came to inhabit the woods not so long ago. They creeped around unseen, lurked in the deep shadows. They were tough to evade, and kill. Only skilled hunters were able to deal with them. And even they were not able to keep the dark creatures at bay. Beings that existed only because of the darkness that occupied a seemingly abandoned fortress.
Seemingly being the key word. For behind its walls, a certain someone was regaining his strength.
Sauron carefully scanned Dol Guldur's surroundings, invisible to anyone who would venture so far south. Not that there were many who did. The elves were wise enough to stay in their kingdom deep within the woods, and all untainted animals were repelled by the darkness. And so, the Necromancer was free to carry out his plan. And yet, a part of him was hesitant.
Oftentimes, he found himself missing his incarnate form. Not the armored, dark, abhorred form, but his true form. Mairon's form. Long, dark hair of a deep red color, impressive stature, and the characteristic golden eyes. Why was the saying about not appreciating something until it was gone so true?
He always knew that his actions would bring unpleasant consequences. But even he couldn't have foreseen Ilúvatar himself would interfere. He didn't while Melkor reigned on Arda, so why would he when the Dark Lord's lieutenant was all evil that was left? Was the maia somehow worse than his master?
He doubted it. Nobody could be worse than Melkor.
Sauron would be lying if he said that he regretted everything he'd done while serving his master. He didn't. And yet, a small part of him – perhaps the small light that took so long to completely disappear from his being, despite his desperate attempts – missed the old days.
The Timeless Halls. And even some moments from Almaren. Not all, but there were good memories. And he couldn't rip them out from his head.
He lacked the ability to clench his fists, but this is what he would've done when the thoughts surfaced.
It wasn't a new occurrence, and it would pass within a few days, he knew it. What he didn't know was why. Why it even happened. Was someone forcefully trying to unharden his conscience? All that these moments achieved was fueling his rage, and therefore, making him more brutal towards his servants.
He would not repent. He will not be redeemed. He didn't need to be. He was right. Right in doing everything. And he will make all living beings on Arda see it.
Still, he couldn't stop his voice from forming two words.
– Eru, help.