Author: MarieAmethyst
Title: Surrender to the Darkness
Rating: R
Chapter: One, Betrayal
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings, Aragorn, Sauron, etc. etc. belongs to Tolkien. Lyrics belong to Evanescence. All that good stuff. =P
Author's Notes: What can I say? No one else was writing Aragorn/Sauron slash, so I came up with this. Surrender is based off a lot of my own ideas, and how I view Lord of the Rings. To me Sauron isn't some big flaming eye, and the Nazgul aren't a bunch of almost dead guys running around mindlessly trying to find the One Ring. If you can't deal with that, then this isn't a fic for you. (*grin* Or anyone else, for that matter.) I've toyed with a couple ideas as to how to develop this, but for the most part I'm just writing as it comes to me. If you have any ideas/suggestions, please let me know! I'd be forever grateful. ^_^

I've went back and re-written the chapters a little, adding more and correcting mistakes, that sort of thing. The biggest change is to the character Gwen, in chapter six. Before I had planned on writing a back story to Surrender called Pieces of My Heart, but since that has gotten nowhere, I edited Gwen so she fits more readily in the fic until I can get Pieces written.

If you're having trouble picturing Sauron as something other than a big flaming eyeball, think of Armand from Interview With the Vampire. But with longer hair. ^_~

UPDATE 12/31/08: Since so many of you have begged nicely and tracked me down all over the 'Net to ask me if I was ever going to finish it, I have decided to continue Surrender! …Of course I have no idea how I am going to do this, so it should be interesting. :D First off is an overhaul of the story, especially Aragorn's character; he kind of bothers me now. So be looking for updates in 2009. Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews/e-mails/comments (I was even mentioned in an article on Aestheticism, lol)! This is for you guys. :)

-*-*-*-

You can't abandon me
You belong to me

Breathe in and take my life in you
No longer myself only you
There's no escaping me, my love
Surrender

-*-*-*-

"For nothing is evil in the beginning. Even Sauron was not so."

~Elrond during the Council of Elrond, FotR~

~*~

Aragorn pulled his dark-green cloak closer around him to ward off the chill of the night. He didn't dare build a fire, for the Enemy had spies everywhere. As it was, he wouldn't have stopped except he had promised to meet a friend. Ralloud, his friend for many years, had sent a message requesting to meet him alone, to discuss private matters.

More stars appeared in the black sky as the night grew older. A cold wind teased at Aragorn's dark hair, a wind not blocked by the trees around him. He reached for the sword he had brought with him, thankful for leaving his other sword that marked his bloodline at Rivendell. He gave the forest around him a sweeping glance, aware of how silent the night had become. Behind him a twig snapped, and he spun around, weapon in hand.

The tall man before him raised his hands to show he was unarmed, a slight mocking smile playing around thin lips. His grey eyes took in the sword in his hands, "Getting wary in your old age, Aragorn?"

Aragorn lowered the sword, raising his other hand in greeting at the similar garbed man. "You know as well as I that those under the Dark Lord have grown in number. So what is the reason for all this secrecy, old friend?"

Ralloud grimaced, "The Dark Lord, who else? I thought you would like to know what I have seen and heard before telling the rest of our people."

Nodding slightly, Aragorn said," You thought well. Come then, what is it that you have seen that troubles you so?"

Moving to sit on a fallen log, the younger man began, "A month ago I was out hunting. As night fell and I began to search for a camp ground, I heard strange mutterings coming from the shadows of a strand of trees. My curiosity roused, I crept over as far as I dared and listened. It was two men, dressed all in black, and speaking a strange tongue I haven't heard in years. From the words that I could decipher, they were in league with the Dark Lord; his spies. They had been sent to watch us, and to find our weaknesses. After a few moments they parted, off to continue their dark mission. Silently I followed one of them, tracking him for a week to learn what I could.

"He snooped around, totally missing all of our camps. He was spotted many times by our people, but I doubt he noticed them. We laid false trails and clues down for him to find, throwing him off track even more. When he thought he had gathered enough information to please his Master, the man turned and walked east. I followed him only for another day, to make sure he was truly leaving. After that I searched for you, and found you had left for another trip to Rivendell. I contented myself to wait two weeks before seeking you out, and I sent a message ahead to ask for this meeting.

"And now that you have heard what I have to say, what do you plan on doing, my leader?"

Aragorn thought for a moment, fingering the hilt of the sword he still held absently. It was indeed grave news that his friend brought, if the Enemy was again taking interest in the doings of the Dunedain. As chieftain, it was his duty to insure the protection of his people. Turning his attention back to Ralloud, he replied, "I do not know yet. I must meditate on it first, before I choose our course. I thank you for bringing this information to me though. Are you returning home now?"

The other man shrugged, "I thought of hunting more, but perhaps I will wait for a fortnight or so."

"Start to gather our men then. I wish to be prepared in case of an attack. I will join you there in a few days."

"As you wish. Until then," Ralloud stood up and bowed slightly at the waist. He then turned and left, vanishing into the dark shadows of the trees quickly. Aragorn stared after him, his brow creased. Something troubled him, and he would find out what it was before the night was over.

Sighing, he moved to where Ralloud had sat, laying back against the log and wrapping his cloak tighter about him after he laid the sword on the ground next to him. Casting the woods around him one final glance, he slipped off into an uneasy sleep.

~*~ Dawn was beginning to creep across the sky in all its brilliant colors when Aragorn woke. A shuffling behind him caused him to roll over, but not before something hard hit him on the head. As the pain exploded in his head, he stared up into the face of Ralloud. "Wh-", his voice failed him. Trying again, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The man smiled down at him, his eyes burning with hatred and mock amusement. "You are far to trusting, Aragorn. It seems there is quite a high price for the heir of Elendil, and I mean to be the one to collect it. Sorry old friend, but with the times as they are now, it is better to side with the strongest. I do this also to protect our people. Sauron has agreed to leave them be if I bring you back to him alive. I am sure you realize that this is best for our survival."

"Fool," Aragorn whispered, fighting to keep conscience, "you should know that the Dark Lord never keeps his promises. He is just using you."

Laughing, Ralloud shook his head, "Where is your noble self now, Aragorn? You have always said you would gladly give your life for your people, and now here is the chance! Yet you back out like a child. Have you suddenly changed your mind?" He shook his head, "What will our people think?"

"You know I would give my life for my people, but I know this is a trick. I thought you had better sense then to trust that of evil. You will bring the downfall of us yet!"

The grey eyes filled with more hatred, "Easy for you to say!" he cried, "You have always been the hero! Well, for once I am going to be it! And unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about it now!"

The older man stared at him sadly, knowing his friend had been cast under a dark spell. That was what had been bothering him before; and he did not blame his friend. The promise of power had lead more then a few to destruction, and he was not surprised Ralloud had given in to it. Especially if it meant the safety of their people. But still it hurt him deeply. He locked stares with the other man, grey against grey, and then he knew no more.

~*~

Ralloud stared down at Aragorn's still body. He was filled with mixed emotions, but sure he had done the right thing. Aragorn's sacrifice would mean the survival of his people, something he valued more than all else. But he could not help but feel guilty.

Pushing all such thoughts away, he motioned to the two men standing in the shadows behind him. They stepped forward, chilling the air around them. Staring at them, he shuddered in fear, for they were Nazguls, the Dark Lord's personal servants. Their blood-red eyes gazed at him, promising death and suffering.

Stepping back, he gave them wide berth as they stooped to pick up his once friend's body. His misgivings again arose as he watched Aragorn being carried to their midnight colored steeds, but he dared not speak up now. Ralloud reminded himself it was for the best, but silently his conscience screamed at him as the Nazguls mounted and then set off, their black garments streaming behind them. He bade farewell to the man he had once called brother before fleeing into the woods.

The sun arose, a strange red, the color of blood. Many saw the strange sight, and signs were made to ward off evil spirits. And the hope of man was carried off East, toward the Dark Lord in his Land of Shadows.