Black Traitor

Annatar the Fair


SAURON

Look at the two of them, huddled together like two ancient children!
I am amused, and yet intrigued, as well.

Olórin- facing me with unabashed courage, hmm, well, I suppose I
grudgingly respect that. It do do him no good, of course, but at
least, he will die with his pride. Good for him.

I also see in his expression something else- he is shocked by my
appearance, thinking, perhaps, I had become a monster under the black
branched armor.

I see the plain and naked desire on his face, and I could return it,
easily enough.

I am, actually, very disappointed:

I had looked forward to the day when I could have them both, and
pleasure would flow like wine, and I harbored the very pleasant
fantasy that they would both submit to me.

Oh, I have harbored many fantasies about these two.

Alas, Curumo! How he has crumbled under my – correction – how brave
he was, when plotting to steal my great prize! How utterly swollen
with arrogance, and obscene conceit!

Truly, I have never seen as treacherous a being as he. More grudging
respect.

I have had some very dark and feverish dreams of you, Curumo.

Dreams in which my screams were louder even than yours, and I shared
my power with you in a very unique way.

But I think you would have rather had it turn out this way, then ever
truly submit to me.

Olórin regards me with such concern- and I see he is even now trying
to cover his fallen brother Maia as much as possible- trying to
protect him!

Strange, these Istari.

I suppose I should say something:

"Olórin, why are you trying to protect Curumo? Do you truly think he
deserves it? Has he not betrayed you, yourself? What value do you
find in him?"

Olórin looks at me now, as one would look at an errant child- ah, how
that angers me! – but I wait to hear his reply:

"Sauron, I do not know what you have done to him, but have you no
sense of shame, or any honor at all? He may have turned at the last,
but did he not serve you well for many years? After all, we both know
the soul-shattering call of the Ring! He could not resist! And for
this, you torture one of your own?"

And now I do laugh, and Olórin shakes his head and looks away from me.

Cradles his treacherous brethren, oh so tenderly, and it only enrages
me all the more.

"You are a very slow learner, Olórin, but that's alright. I have
time. You may hold that viper in your arms, for now, but only for
now."
umo umo dares to look around, coming out from under Olórin's wing – he
suddenly has a different look, than the beaten dog I saw only a
moment ago.

Ah, I recognize this: the fearless and ever so clever Istar who
thought he could defraud me. I see again that old arrogant look, the
haughty gleam in his dark eyes.

Not wise enough to stay silent, he makes the unfortunate choice of
speaking:

"Lord Sauron, Olórin speaks naught but the truth- but I do not need
another to- to defend me! Ever I served you well, and tho' I have
been judged and condemned for it already- I have NEVER said I
intended to do any ill or wrong to you!"

Olórin gets a look on his face of alarm and dismay, and I am certain
mine is merely one of some considerable anger. Saruman however- looks-
oh, the absurdity!- he looks SINCERE!

It could not be any more blatantly insulting, if he walked up to me
and slapped me in the face.

I step forward, and notice, for the first time, that the cell door is
unlocked- how interesting, I think- but I do not say a word.

"Get up, Curumo!" I command, daring Olórin to defy me.

But Curumo does stand, and faces me – I see again the nobility of his
features, and the beauty of his fierce ebony eyes.

I cannot, however, show any laxity- and so I draw back my hand- still
in a black battle glove- and strike him across the face, pulling back
the last second so I do not kill him.

Myw sew sends him reeling back to the floor of the cell, and he
glares up at me with a savage hatred.

Olórin- of course!- goes to him immediately, and Curumo pushes hawayaway, and stands again to face me.

Perhaps I misjudged my fellow Maia!

Oh, without a doubt, he plotted and schemed against me, and everyone
else.

But it just may be, I can make something of him, after all. I no
longer dismiss him as a cowering fool.

"Explain yourself, then, if you have anything to say I have not
heard!"

Curumo looks at me with pure scorn – and THAT will not do – I make
ready to strike him again- and he backs away quickly, saying:

"Do not do so, my Lord Sauron- I can tell you many things that you
still have need of hearing! I will not grovel at your feet- but I
have ever been your comrade in arms! What do I need to do, to regain
that which I have lost?"

Curumo- ah, Curumo- my chosen – you, whom I let come closer to me
than anyone sinelkoelkor-

My heart softens, and my cock hardens, suddenly beginning to stir to
life under my armor.

I want his white bearded mouth on it, and his elegant, filthy, lying
tongue -

yes- venom drips from your words, Curumo- the great Deceiver, you of
the magickal Voice, lies, so many lies, even to out-do anything I
have ever known.

I have been fierce, and I have been bold- and yes- cruel, very cruel.

But you, Curumo: you are that Serpent I used to dream of, sly and
wise in your wickedness- sweet as a killing blow, and darkly arousing
as blood drenching the sand -

"Very well. I shall think of a way for you to prove your loyalty to
me. Refuse it, and I will kill you- not easily, either, you know how
I like to do things, don't you, Curumo?"

He meets my gaze unflinchingly, and I remember why I chose him:

That unspeakable arrogance, and relentless pride. He cannot allow
himself to admit OR submit, and it may perhaps work out in my favor-

- and I know just what to demand.