[identity profile] engarian.livejournal.com posting in [community profile] b2mem
B2MeM Challenge: O-67 5 Books-5 Characters – The Witch King
Format: Fictlet
Genre: Drama
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Characters: Annatar, The Witch King
Pairings: None

Summary: Beware Maia bearing gifts.




The Gift


It was a gift, one of many that I received while seated on the throne. People were always presenting me with this or that in hopes of currying my favor. He was just one more who was trying to gain my favor, although he was more beautiful to look at than most coming through my doors.

He placed into my hands, a box made from rare woods, intricately carved in patterns that my people had long believed held power. He told me that the box contained a hidden latch. It was his promise that if I could find the mechanism by which the box opened, I could have the treasure that lay within. My curiosity was piqued.

All that day and the next I attempted to discover the latch without effect. I threw it from me in disgust several times, only to walk over and pick it up again. On the third day I took it to the throne room with me, still attempting to ferret out its secret. Beautiful women danced and presented themselves to me, but I dismissed them all without gazing upon them or lusting after them. Everything faded when faced with the box and its hidden treasure.

On the sixth day, I finally succeeded in opening the inner partition. There, beneath the cunningly-hinged lid, resting on a bed of finely embroidered fabric lay a ring. The ring by itself did not seem extraordinary at first glance, although its band was enhanced by a swirling black stone that seemed to pull me into its vortex, the more I gazed at it.

“Bring me the elf. I would know more of this gift,” I cried out, and my servants hurried to obey. Shortly they returned, the tall and elegantly beautiful form following in their wake.

“Highness,” he said smoothly, bowing low in front of me.

“Tell me of this gift you give me,” I commanded.

He requested that we meet privately and I saw no reason to deny such a simple thing. Standing together in my small waiting room behind the throne, guards positioned just outside on each side of the door ready to come to my aid, I asked again.

“Tell me of this ring, elf. Why do you offer me such a thing? This piece of jewelry must have more to it than initially meets the eye.”

Annatar explained that wearing the ring would impart many benefits. He promised me dominion over a vast kingdom and the power to command all, even death itself.

“Death itself? You mean that by wearing this ring I can hold death away from me forever?”

“Even I cannot foresee forever,” he responded. “But wearing this ring will give you the power to live for many thousands of years. Each year your power will grow, and each battle you engage in will confirm your ability to fend off death while increasing your political power. I will give eight others my rings, yet you shall rule all – they shall all answer to you as your servants and comrades.”

He continued, while walking to the doorway, waving his hand in an intricate pattern. “I warn you that there will be no turning back. Once this ring is on your finger, you will be forever committed to this path.”

Without hesitation, I who would become known as the Witch King of Angmar placed the ring firmly upon my finger. As I writhed in pain on the floor while the ring established its dominion, I heard the elf murmur “One down, eight to go.”

Date: 2012-03-07 02:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] huinare.livejournal.com
What a creative way for Annatar to offer the ring--pique his curiosity, give him a challenge to conquer, by which point the thing has probably wrought some effect on mister proto-Witch-King before he's even seen it. I like how quickly the power dynamic shifts too, with the Witch King demanding explanations one minute and writhing on the floor presently. That must've been a rude awakening.

Date: 2012-03-07 02:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] silver-trails.livejournal.com
Sauron in disguise. Nice!

Date: 2012-03-07 03:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lindahoyland.livejournal.com
A nicely chilling tale.

Date: 2012-03-07 04:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] samtyr.livejournal.com
This is utterly chilling and quite believable. I'm definitely saving it.

Date: 2012-03-07 04:58 am (UTC)
dreamflower: gandalf at bag end (Default)
From: [personal profile] dreamflower
Chilling. Clever. Diabolical. "Lord of Gifts" indeed!

Date: 2012-03-07 01:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] just-jenni.livejournal.com
I enjoyed this fic immensely. It makes me want to do more research on Annatar and the Witch King, since I'm interested in writing about them as well. I love your take on their relationship. :)

Date: 2012-03-07 09:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] just-jenni.livejournal.com
Hahaha....you're right. The drug dealer comparison is hilarious! And of course, the gift would most certainly have been appropriate for a King. Well done. ;)

Date: 2012-03-07 09:30 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blslarner.livejournal.com
Oh, and how well this explains how the theft of the souls of nine great kings was begun! Well done indeed!

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