Mairon had exhausted himself rather early on as he tried to fight and didn’t realize how weak a human body is.
He slumped, even dozing off from sheer exhaustion as they traveled on horse-back. Because of this, he didn’t even realize where they were. He could barely hear the waves as his hearing had been muted.
He knew of his cousin’s plight, and it was with fierce restraint that he had stayed in the deeps during Marion’s period of weakness. After the pain and humiliation he had suffered, he did not know if he would be able to resist the temptation to inflict equal devastation on the mortal mockery of the Maia. So he hid himself away for his own safety.
Until he felt the icy shadow that blackened the surface, the familiar swagger of Ji Indur darkened by the power and rage of his ring, and a very familiar essence with him. He may have avoided the battle, but the battle did not avoid him. Hearing his name bellowed, he gave up the resistance – surely he could not be blamed for defending his home, his charge, his realm.
Surging towards the point of conflict, he appeared as a scaled behemoth of his usual self, every bit the Terror his legends warned. His eyes flashed as he circled the floating guests, tail caging them in as he fixed his gaze on the limp offering. “Why do you bring him here? His presence is not welcome in my home,” he rumbled, scowling.
Ji Indur felt Osse’s presence nearing them before he saw the Maia. The water underneath them started to stir and as he looked down into the depths, the bottom so close in the blue green, he notice the massive shape of the Master of the Seas, circling them like a dangerous predator before he broke the surface, causing the Kraken to sway and a wave to wash over man and wraith, almost dragging them under for a moment. The voice reverberated inside Ji Indur’s mind and he bowed his head in a display of respect.
“I am aware of it, oh mighty Osse and I would not have brought Him under normal circumstances. But the Grey Cloaks struck him with the curse of mortality for three days and I could have ended him there and then and freed myself but alas, it was not up to me to be the first to strike. He is one of the Ainur after all and seeing how He has treated you in the last centuries I decided to bring Jim to you so you can hold council and judge him according to the crimes He has committed against you. I hope you do not see any ill will on my part. Whatever you chose to do, I will accept it as His punishment. And I will not lay hand on him myself unless you tell me to do so.”
Ji Indur was serious with his words even if it might feel like betrayal to his friends. But he had to believe in Osse to find a punishment suitable for his cousin and to help the Nine -or those willing to- to break their chains. This was the moment where he offered the watery Maia more than just rum and gold- he was offering him his very existence, as terribly corrupted it was. If the Master of the Seas would turn his back on him as well then he knew that none of the higher beings had even a shred of empathy left for what they had created. Of course it was not meant as a test but it could be very well seen like one.
Suspense built in the tableau between wraith and maia, broken by the sound of distant wing beats, a pulsing thrum that grew into the crack of mighty sails as a shadow passed over the moon.
The sailors who had manned the craft bearing Ji and his captive fled splashing into the waves for safety, and a massive fell beast of raven-black scales and iron plate dropped out of the sky. The ship’s boat splintered under its claws where it landed, folding its wide, dark wings.
As if patiently awaiting instruction, the feel beast watched its master dismount with cold white eyes, sliding off its back saddle to the ground.
The rider approached, removing his flight mask, a tarnished red hammer slung at one hip, a silver-tipped nine-tails on the other.
“Cousin, we beg your pardon for the sudden intrusion,” Sauron addressed Ossë with an inclination of his head. “But it seems you are discussing the fate of one I have already laid claim to. The mortal you have half-submerged there at your feet is currently under my protection.”
He looked from the towering figure in the sea to the corsair kneeling at the water’s edge, and gave half a chuckle. “Ji-Indur. Why am I not surprised by your treachery? I wondered who had managed to smuggle him out from my own fortress… it was a short list of those capable.”
Sauron tucked the black riding mask under one arm and smiled graciously at the wary gathering. “I understand that you both have significant grievances with my brother-self, and while he is in this… delicate, mortal condition, it would be a unique opportunity for you to seek retribution. I respect this. And though I cannot allow you to kill or maul him while under my protection, I am willing to strike a bargain.”
Moonlight glinted off a heavy ring on the hand that stretched out in offering, its twin around Mairon’s finger, limp and drifting in the wave swell. Sauron smiled, and gestured first to Ji.
“Wraith, your allegiance to my brother has long troubled you. If you kill him in this state, it is likely you will remain bound to his Ring and any remnant of his will, or else destroyed outright with his passing… An uncomfortable way to spend eternity, no?” He laughed. “Perhaps you will consider letting me sever the tie between your ring and his. Only I can do this for you, with a power of equal might to the original bond. You would live on, immortal and retaining some small amount of insight beyond the world of men, free of his manipulation, invisible to his eye, even if he returns to power.”
“…And you, Cousin,” Sauron shifted, lowering his gaze briefly in respect, “you of all here have the most claim to vengeance. You wish to see him suffer for his crimes, do you not? A mere moment of satisfaction, even if that moment is a long one, would not suffice.” His eyes glowed in the grave light of the moon, colorless and sharp. “To you I offer a lifetime of his suffering. Miserable, weak, aging into grey hair, sallow skin, and sagging flesh, trembling hands and feeble limbs, powerless to do harm to you or yours ever again.”
The lord of Mordor spread his hands. “Return him to me, and these shall be my gifts to you. Do we have an agreement?”
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