She looked up at the architecture of the walls she was guided in. It had been... a long time since she was brought here. The woman looked through the fabric of her grubby hood, at the purple stain glass windows and the shadows and silhouettes of guards shifting through the many halls. She knew every pathway here, even if the last time she set foot in this place was two decades ago. Two long decades...
She was stopped in front of two swinging doors with the image of the Great Eye carved on them. The two guards, men who were likely Black Numenorean, took care not to touch her in any hostile way. She had to suppose, finding a way into her lord's heart had benefits. He certainly made his way into her's... After so long, she had still refused to find another lover, or have another child. As if there was hope in romance in Mordor. As if Mordor had any place for a child...
As the doors parted, she was beckoned by the guard on the left, who was obviously used to just shoving people. Looking down at the binds on her wrist, she walked into the throne room. She looked up, so unused to the concept of very little activity being in here. Indeed, only two Black Numenorean high guards stood left and right of the massive, cushioned throne. A very familiar figure sat in it, looking up from a book he had been reading. His face was etched in unreadable shadow as he lifted a single hand, motioning towards the throne, "Come to me."
How could she not obey him? In more than just being his slave, she was his. She walked across the long, dark room, the two guards who escorted her remaining at the doorway. As she stood before his throne, he stood up. His long robes rustled as he stepped down the throne and up to her. Even now, she was unafraid of him. She was probably the only person he had never hurt. At least, physically.
He reached out and took her binds, untying them. As the crude, scratchy ropes fell to the ground, he said something that completely threw her off guard.
"Leave."
The Nurnhoth slave stood, dumbfounded. "My Lord?"
The Black Numenorean lord did not look at her, "Leave. Leave this palace, leave Gorgoroth, leave Mordor."
She stood, feeling dizzy, "My Lord?"
"Flee. Flee into Rhovonian if you can. Just do not step into Eriador."
She blinked, "What is in Eriador?" She gasped in exasperation, "Why are you doing this?"
He blinked slowly, still not looking up to her, "I have business in Eriador. Do not follow me."
He then turned to return to his throne. The woman took a step forward, the only person ever to defy him without punishment, "Why? My Lord, I demand answers. You promised me you would let me live in Nurn, never bring me back here. Yet, here we are "
He stopped, pausing for a moment. She heard the two throne guarda whispering.
"She has just defied him, and she is standing? Where is Lord Aglarzor's viciousness?"
"This one is special, new blood. You will learn."
Lord Aglarzor raised his hands, making a motion. In a flash, the four guards slipped from the room. Lord Aglarzor slouched only slightly, a long sigh escaping him as the doors slammed shut.
"I did promise." Aglarzor confirmed, "And I would have kept that promise, but things are changing." He turning to face her once again, "You deserve to know."
For a moment, the Nurnhoth stood in confusion, then spoke, "You march to war?"
Aglarzor nodded, "My forces are needed in Osgiliath, yes. But I have other business for a smaller force and myself."
"In Eriador?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
The Back Numenorean tarried where he was, "I have received word from both Angmar and Kalabnalu. Our..." He hesitated before continuing, "Your daughter lives "
Emotions caved and swayed around her. Confusion, joy, dismay, and so much more. "Sari lives?!"
Aglarzor nodded, "Aglarari, yes. She not only escaped Ithillien alive, but she has defected from Mordor completely."
As much as joy flooded her, terror overwhelmed her as well, "You are not going to..."
"Punish her?" Aglarzor slumped, "I must. Which is why I'm setting you free. You cannot be involved in this."
"She's my child!" The woman demanded, stomping her foot, "How can I not get involved! And how could the man I love do this!"
"Because the man you love," His voice cracked in emotion, "Has been dying for a while now. I am even more setting you free, because you and I both know we would never wed now. Not after what I am going to do."
She paused, bewildered and betrayed.
"Oh, Sara..." Aglarzor spoke in yearning, "If I am to become like the Mouth of Sauron, crueller than any orc, I must cut off all ties to my humanity left. Even her... even you."
Sara dropped to her knees, tears in her eyes, "Aglarzor, please!"
His eyes were visibly filled with sorrow, but he did not relent, "Leave, my love. Leave everything behind. Live a new life the best you can, with a better man, until the day our Dark Lord Sauron has taken over all the world. Please, do not get involved in this."
She shook, vibrating, "But I wanted you!" She cried, "I wanted us and our child all happy and-"
"--Yet you never married me!" Aglarzor shouted. This caused her to fall dead silent. The moment passed, and he shut his eyes. A single tear slid down his cheek.
"Get out of my sight..." He struggled to speak, "Nurnhoth scum. That is my order."
She arose, turning and fleeing from the fortress, from Gorgoroth, from everything. Her entire life had been shattered and changed. She did not notice the guard he assigned to keep her safe, or the glory of the Black Gate. She did not even see the beauty of Ithillien for the first time. She only had one thought, one person, on her mind.
"Sari..."
If he was going to betray her, she was going to betray him. She defied him, immediately planning her trek to the mysterious Eriador.
