Disclaimer: I do not own the Akallabeth, which this story is based off of. It belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, and is his and his alone. He also owns the characters, locations, and events. There may be some OC’s as the story continues, but everything else is Tolkien’s.

A note: I have tried to stay as true as I can to the Akallabeth in this, reading sections before and during the writing of these chapters. However, some events that take place in this may have only been mentioned in the Akallabeth, or have been added by me for dramatic effect. Please excuse this. After all, it’s only a fanfic.

The Downfall of Númenor

Prologue

“SAURON!” The Dark One flinched at the sound and turned from the map he had been studying to seek the source of the voice. “SAURON!” The challenge came again, louder this time, ringing through the halls and rooms of Barad-dûr. The Dark One walked over to the window of the tower and peered out at the hills and valleys surrounding the tower.

He was greeted by the sight of a thousand Númenóreans, arrayed in shining armor. The sun glinted off their spears and swords and blinded the Dark One, making him wince in pain. He was not used to such light. When his eyes had adjusted to the light, he looked down again. They were still there, rank upon rank, stretching out all around the tower and as far as the Dark One could see. It disgusted him. In his former days, not many years ago, he could wave his hand and they would all be gone. But those days were gone. His master was in chains, unrightfully locked away in the depths of the Void. The Dark One shook his head. For all his power, his master had been fairly short-sighted. He had not succeeded in making the world worship him.

The Dark One was going to change that and get his revenge at the same time.

“SAURON!” The challenge came a final time. The Dark One had had enough. This poor man was going to yell his own throat out. For a moment, the Dark One considered letting him. It would be slightly amusing, watching the proud and pompous messenger to the king struggle to speak. But it would upset his plan.

And the Dark One couldn’t have that.

He raised his head high and threw open the window. “SPEAK, YOU WHO COME AGAINST ME! WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU HAVE WITH ME?”

At once he was aware of where the voice was coming from. It was indeed a messenger from the king. He was standing at the base of the tower, shouting up at the tower, having no idea where the Dark One was. “THE KING DEMANDS,” the messenger began, then cleared his throat and continued. “THE KING DEMANDS THAT SAURON OF MORDOR COME BEFORE HIM AND SWEAR TO HIM FEALTY!”

The Dark One’s first reaction was to refuse. But then, a dark thought crossed his mind like a shadow. This was his chance. The one he had been waiting for. He mused on that for a moment, and then shouted his reply. “I WILL COME!”

Then he turned and walked out of the room. He walked down twisted passages and dark caverns until he reached the gates. These the Dark One passed through them, walking out among the enemy. The soldiers watched as he made his way through their ranks until he reached the golden throne of the king, perched on a hill. Here he knelt and kissed the king’s feet.

“My apologies, great lord, if you have somehow suffered harm on the way here,” the Dark One said, smoothing his tongue. If he could somehow win the king over…

The king recoiled. “No… no, I suffered no harm. What do you wish to say, Sauron of Mordor?”

The Dark One straightened. “What makes you believe, oh king, that I have come to speak?”

“That you’re here!” the king exclaimed. “I ordered you to come and speak. You are here. Now speak.”

The Dark One knelt lower. “I only wish to surrender myself to you and swear fealty to you.” That brought whispers from the crowd around him. The king narrowed his eyes.

“I do not trust you.”

The Dark One nodded. “I know. You have every reason not to.”

“Give me your crown.” The king ordered. The Dark One removed his dark crown from his head and placed it at the king’s feet. “Now the keys to Barad-Dûr.” The Dark One removed those from his belt and placed them next to the crown.

“Anything else?” the Dark One asked.

The king thought. “Just one thing. Your ring. Surrender it to me.”

For the first time, the Dark One paled. He held up his hand and looked at the ring on his hand. For a moment, he studied it. Then he looked back at the king.

“Great king, I know you are merciful and wise. This ring is but a trinket. I would be grateful if you let me keep it.”

“Very well. Bind him.” The king said, motioning at the Dark One. Two soldiers stepped forward and bound the Dark One’s hands behind his back. “You will take him to the island. We will keep him there until we know of his intentions.”

The soldiers nodded and led the Dark One away. The Dark One had on a mask of sadness, but inside, he was more excited than he had ever been.

To Be Continued…