Notes - Looking at Morgoth's degeneration into horror through the eyes of another.

7) The Blood of a Vala - Year of the Sun 60 Quellë (Fading)

Ardana

Howls of rage filled the grand hall of Angband, causing Ardana and Morthaur to recoil in fear as they stood in the hallway. Ardana turned, looking at the walls while Morthaur fidgeted, constantly adjusting his dirty coveralls. Only Fëatur stood firm, her face impassive. Ardana knew that the woman thrived on terror, almost to the point of obsession. They waited for some time for the Dark Lord's anger to subside. They had lost a great battle, the battle that was supposed to establish their dominion over this new land. They would make Middle Earth great under his power and iron fist. But their armies were routed with ease by the forces of the elves under Fingolfin. Only a fraction of the massive force had returned and Morgoth had put many of the leaders to death as a message to the others.

Morfuin, who stood still as a statue near the hall entrance, finally stirred. "The King of the Earth will see you now," he said, as if he had received a telepathic message. Even in his human form he was still terrifying with skin as red as flame and red, catlike eyes. His plain tunic and pants belied his status in Morgoth's empire. He led the way into the massive chamber that housed the Dark Lord's iron throne.

Ardana's heart raced upon seeing her lord upon his enormous throne. Her starlight gown shimmered as if to reflect her trepidation. The Dark Lord was the height of ten elves with fists the size of great boulders. His foot could crush even the High King like a worm. She noted the tension on his jaw and the deep furrow in his brow beneath his jet-black hair. His great black robe of glittering jewels seemed disheveled and his iridescent crown of Silmarils sat askew on his head. This was not the Vala of unearthly beauty and wisdom that she had known in Valinor: he was darker, more sinister. The battle had changed him. As one, the entourage knelt in front of the throne and waited for Morgoth to notice them.

After an uncomfortable length of time, Morgoth looked down upon them as one would look down upon ants. His eyes blazed red. "Speak," he said impatiently, his voice echoing through the hall, his face brooding.

Ardana rose and lifted her hand up. "My lord, King of the Earth, we have a plan to bring down the Sun and Moon and return your world to its natural state, a state of beauty where we have the power of life and death, and your rule is absolute."

This seemed to calm him and the tension along his jaw relaxed. He took a deep breath and his stare bore into the group. "Tell me of your plan. I will decide if it is worthy."

"Lord, Morthaur was able to recover some of the gems that were consumed by Ungoliant. These gems hold the key to unleashing great power, the power to destroy these objects in the heavens." She pointed to Morthaur, who stepped forward and displayed one of the dark gems in the palm of his hand.

"Why haven't you done this already?"

She shivered at the question and a cold sensation ran down her spine. She had never been afraid of her lord before. "We conducted an experiment. While successful, we lack one key ingredient," she said, her voice cracking ever so slightly. A bead of sweat ran down her brow.

"And what ingredient is that?"

Ardana took a deep breath and held it for a moment before exhaling. "The final ingredient is the blood of your child." She paused to see his reaction, half expecting an outburst of rage. When it didn't happen, she continued. "I will bear your child and I will sacrifice it to your glory in destroying the Sun and Moon."

Morgoth nodded slowly and then more emphatically. "I see. You have thought this through," he said and then he stepped off of his iron throne, causing the group to take a step back. Some held their hands up as if to ward of a blow. He held up his hands and then he slowly shrunk down to the size of an elf. "This should make it easier," he said, now face to face with his audience. He gave Ardana a leer that brought a pit to her stomach.

Ardana's heart skipped a beat at the thought of this becoming a reality. It was something that she had not thought the whole way through. She bowed her head and awaited his next word. The Dark Lord took her hand and led her away from the group. His grip was overpowering. She could not get away even if she wanted to. "Where are we going?" she blurted out nervously and then worried that she had spoken too loudly.

He looked around as if avoiding her gaze. "What does it matter? I am the Elder King. I take what I want when I want it. The other Valar have spouses. Weak. I stand alone, he who arises in might. All bend to my will." He led her around the back of the great throne and then pinned her to the back of his throne with inhuman strength.

Suddenly, fear gripped her throat and the cold pit in her stomach grew. "My lord," she said before he tore the shimmering dress from her body and pressed her against the cold stone of his iron chair. Her back felt the chill of the granite against her skin. "Wait…I," she began until he put a cold hand over her mouth.

"Silence. You bend to my will and my will alone." His voice was almost hoarse, raspy and holding the potential for violence. "You serve at my pleasure and your life belongs to me." He opened his robe and lifted one of her legs. Ardana just closed her eyes and dreamed of a clear night sky, full of her beloved stars. She would sacrifice anything to make it so again.