~A New Lord for the Nazgul~

[Canos]

Canos had finished his negotiations with Lorien and he figured that instead of going to Nurn, he could continue to journey westward. He had heard of a power in the west that was still veiled and he knew that the only place this could be was Angmar. Apparently one of the nazgul had remained and survived the destruction of Mordor. Canos guessed that it was Khamul for he was charged with Dol Guldor and would not have been in Mordor at the time of its destruction. Yet, he could not be sure and the only way to find this out would be to go to Angmar himself and find out. So, Canos and his battalion of soldiers, numbering in the fifties rode towards the borders of Angmar. They didn’t stir up too much trouble because everyone that they encountered understood who they were. They were the freed slaves of the East, the ones that respect and revered Mordor. They would not be challenged by Arnor or Gondor. Canos was a bit weary of going through Arnor because of all the mysterious and possible problems it could cause.

However, it was not Arnor that ended up causing the problems. It was when they reached Angmar that they encountered resistance. Canos and his group of knights were riding over the border when they were attacked by a group of orcs. Canos didn’t know if these orcs were the ones controlled by the new ruler or if they acted on their own accord, but he did realize that he was going to have fight. The orcs reigned down a volley of arrows, which took down several soldiers, but Canos’s knights were well armored. Canos and his men created a circle as up over the hill before them raged several hundred orcs and goblins, running full force towards them. The might, dismounted their horses because they were already too disorganized to assemble a charge. The orcs raged closer and closer until they were right up on the soldiers and the fight began. Canos took lead, not falling behind his men. His two short swords glistening in the sun as he moved cleanly and efficiently through the soldiers.

[Khamûl]

Khamûl stepped out of the dungeons of Carn Dûm, an orc clad in bloodied rags wiping blood from his spiked gauntlets. Torture was a tiring process, and the Gondorian was a tough one; he still hadn't given in to it despite being affected so badly by Khamûl's Black Breath that he had fallen unconcious within three minutes of exposure to it. Although he might have been able to answer the questions if he had not been screaming in terror so much. However, it had been an enjoyable experience, and one he would like to do again. Soon. But not with that Gondorian, next time it would be an Orc to torture him, one of the more intelligent ones that hopefully wouldn't get over-enthusiastic and kill the man. Although exposure to the Black Breath for much longer could have done that to the pathetic soul, that was the reason Khamûl would not go in again; he needed the information from that man. For starters, waht was he doing so far up North, and then why was he snooping in Angmar? Was King Aragorn beginning to get suspicious? Khamûl decided he would send a diplomat to the Reunited Kingdom soon, to establish friendly relations, however fake and temporary they would be.

Khamûl's head instinctively darted to the right as he heard a Nazgûl's screech, from the border. Khamûl looked for the exact location of the Nazgûl in question before let out his own, deafening screech in reply and hurrying out of the dungeon to the home of his steed. So there was a small force of armoured cavalrymen invading, and they were easily cutting through the orcs. Likely they were knights of Gondor, and this Gondorian was their scout. Well, somehow they must have found out the truth and if that was so, he would have to forget diplomacy and secrecy and meet them in battle himself. If his orcs were losing as badly as he had heard, these were no ordinary troops. They were possibly even the King's guard... Khamûl smiled an invisible smile as this thought crossed his mind, almost doubling his speed as he imagined cutting down Aragorn, the King of the Reunited Kingdoms.


The Nazgûl flew swiftly on his steed, approaching the battle scene and giving his second screech, ordering the orcs to stop fighting and back away. The ringwraith, clothed in loose black robes slowly flew down to land the huge black Drake on the ground between the Angmar orcs and the enemy men. His hoarse but loud whisper of a voice sounded out across the battlefield, "You do not look like the men of Gondor I thought you were. Tell me, where are you from and why are you here and, depending on your answer, maybe I'll consider letting you meet my master. Or maybe I'll just kill you all right here? Speak, men. I am no longer patient enough for the likes of you."

[Canos]

Canos and his men had continued their fight with the orcs that had surrounded them by now. It was a good thing that Canos was there or the men he was with would have been overwhelmed. The soldiers that he had taken into the country of Angmar were not overly impressive soldiers; they just had Canos with them. Canos gave off this aura of evilness that even orcs didn’t really feel like facing. Orcs were trained and bred to not feel fear and to not feel any pain, but it was difficult to say such things and maintain such a bold state of mind considering what they were facing. Canos cut through them with relative ease mainly because so many of them stopping trying to kill him when they got close. Canos didn’t care what they were doing; they were just going to die. He enjoyed killing things and it didn’t matter what sort of creature they were, he could kill them. His philosophy was if it bleeds it can die and almost everything that he could think of bled and so almost anything that had flesh of some kind could die and be killed by him.

Apparently his little fight with the rabble of orcs had gotten someone’s attention because within the hour of fighting a nazgul appeared on the battlefield. Canos looked back at the men that he had brought with him and they staggered behind their horses, which were rearing in fear also. Canos smirked as he looked up at the nazgul and faced his demands. The orcs had backed away and formed a semi circle around him. Canos still had about fifteen men or so left and the orc’s numbers had diminished greatly. Canos looked at the nazgul with defiance and authority. “You do not give me orders!” Canos declared. “You are in no position to do so, backed behind a rabble of orc that fear your enemy more than they do their general.” Canos declared boldly. Canos did not fear anything, not even undead things. Canos didn’t have a blade that could hurt a nazgul; he just had this ability to burst things into flame. “You summon your master here by my demand!” Canos said pointing his sword up at the nazgul. Canos didn’t know the reaction he would receive from the creature, but he didn’t fear it or the rabble of orcs that were left for the being to control. He would find out their strength and the strength of their resolve.

[Khamûl]

The Nazgûl gave a rasping laugh, it reeked of evil, the hissing of his laughter would sicken an ordinary man. "The orcs fear their enemy more than their general? That is, unfortunately for you, untrue and even if it were true, it could be solved in seconds." The Nazgûl turned his head, the dragon supporting his unseen body shifting nervously before this new enemy, but with a single thought of the Nazgûl, which the dragon could read, it returned to its original footing, sturdy and aggressively positioned. "Captain!" The Nazgûl called out in its echoing voice, "Step forward." The terrified orc slowly stumbled forwards, shaking and sweating, knowing his terrible fate. The orc stood beside the dragon, looking up at the Nazgûl and suddenly a huge change came over him as the Nazgûl released the Black Breath. The orc shook at the knees, the amount of sweat on him doubling within seconds. His eyes quivered in sheer terror before he fell to his knees, tears in his eyes, his voice not even managing to scream out in fear. The orc shivered so violently that even those near the back of the orcish army could see him moving and soon enough he was on the ground, face first, trying to get the Nazgûl out of his face, but, as if an invisible hand was pulling his head, the orc's face was forced up to face the Nazgûl. He was foaming at the mouth, tears streaming down his face and he was struggling to breathe, choking on the tears that ran over his mouth as his lungs tried to bring air into his system, but his terror was so great he could not even manage that. "I could let him live, but while I am the most forgiving of the Nazgûl, it seems he is not a suitable Captain for the army of Angmar; he misjudged your strength and lead many orcs to their deaths needlessly. Therefore, he will die." The Nazgûl turned to face the orc again and, with one last quiver, the orc fell face first onto the ground, dead. The orc captain had died of fear.

The army stared at the body of the dead orc, they were all stunned. Very few had seen the effects of the Black Breath on one of their own before, and this was the eigth of the Nazgûl; the least powerful of them, and according to reports, the leader of the Nazgûl and ruler of Angmar, Khamûl, was on his way here to finish the job they had started. Many of the orcs shivered at this thought; both in fear and in glee at the fate of this man. If he could not please Khamûl, he would die, leaving the rest of the men to them. This looked like it could be fun.

On the edge of the horizon, Khamûl the Nazgûl's dragon could be seen as a distant speck, but his presence could be felt even from the battlefield. The Nazgûl grinned an invisible grin, and the orcs grinned their perfectly visible ones, although most would have wished they were also invisible; the orc's yellow teeth were stained with fresh blood and some even had bits of recently eaten meat, with disturbingly human-coloured skin, stuck in them. A noise rose up from the army as their newly inspired bloodlust pushed adrenaline through their bodies, many of them barely resisting the urge to charge. They could not lose with two Nazgûl on their side.

[Canos]

This nazgul was defiant and this nazgul did have the upper hand if he brought in Khamul. Granted that there were not enough orcs to finish off Canos and his men. If the nazgul were not a problem, Canos would be able to deal with the orcs without too much difficulty. Canos wished that he had brought more soldiers with him. He was not planning for such a hostile welcome. Canos still wanted to find a peace between the nazgul and him. He needed them on his side to pressure the world of men from the West. He needed these men for a strategic position. Canos didn’t want to start off on such difficult circumstances. Canos watched as the nazgul brought the orc to him and killed him in a rather interesting way. Canos knew that he was going to have to do something that commanded the respect of the nazgul and the respect of the orcs that they commanded. He needed them to fear him again. He needed them to know that they would fear being killed by him as much as they feared being killed by the nazgul. Canos had a few things that he could try, but he knew that he would not be able to content with a great amount of power; not yet, not without his palantir, not without his link to the master.

Canos could see something in the sky behind the whole ordeal and he believed that it was another nazgul. He wasn’t sure which nazgul but he didn’t need two on his hands. Canos stepped forward and looked directly at one of the orcs commanding him to come forward. Canos beckoned for the orc to charge him and for some reason or another the orc attack. Canos looked at him intently, putting both his swords in the ground, concentrating as the orc approach. The orc began to smolder a bit, smoke coming off his body and his armor and clothes. Suddenly he burst into flame, never even reaching Canos. The orc fell on the ground, the foul smell of burning orc flesh could be smelled on the battlefield. Canos picked up his swords again, looking at the faces of the orcs. They had never seen such a thing. This was surely a test of wills now. Canos looked up at the nazgul. “Do not tempt me into fighting you!” Canos said, pointing his sword at the nazgul. “Come off your steed and we will duel until one of his submits.” Canos smirked. He was a better swordsmen than many people and he figured he could do well enough against this being. He would need to concentrate to give him the same fate as the orc.

[Khamûl]

The Nazgûl watched curiously, allowing the orc to charge the enemy. The man had an air about him that had already indicated that he was powerful. However, just how powerful he was, was what the Nazgûl would soon discover. As the orc charged, he began to smoulder and before he even came in range of attacking the man, he burst into flame. This could make the battle interesting... The Nazgûl was taken aback at the man's suggested duel but his surprise was a pleasant one, nonetheless and he quickly dropped from his steed, the great beast preparing to take to the air. However, it suddenly stopped, as if it was unable to do so, and immediately went into a strong and sturdy pose, strangely similar to a soldier's salute. At this, a beating of wings could be heard above, as another dragon landed adjacent to the first, but this one was over one-and-a-half times the size of the first, and obviously hundreds of times more deadly. However, it was not this that drew the attention of every being on the battlefield, but the huge beast's rider. The rider, clothed entirely in loose black robes, dropped from his dragon in a fassion identical to that of the first Nazgûl's. The new arrival slowly walked forwards, the orcs behind him, his own troops, wavering in fear, many would have broken ranks and fled if it were not for the fact that if they did, they would have a real reason to fear him, and would likely survive for another several centuries - being tortured in horrific ways that even an orc's twisted mind could not imagine.

Khamûl the Nazgûl stopped, looking directly at the opposing general. His voice echoed across the open battlefield, chilling every bone there, and even almost disturbing the other Nazgûl, "Stand down. I will deal with this fool." The Nazgûl instantly obeyed, backing towards his dragon and taking hold of the reigns that, until now, had gone almost unnoticed. Khamûl drew himself up to his full height, standing nearly 6'8, and drew his sword from inside the darkened and invisible insides of his robes. "My name is Khamûl. I am the Lord of the Nazgûl, the King of Angmar and the Heir of Sauron. Who are you, where do you come from and what are you doing here?" Khamûl asked bluntly. When in person, Khamûl rarely used subtlety.

[Canos]

The presence of the battlefield changed dramatically when the new nazgul approached. Canos was getting excited when the nazgul descended from his beast to fight him one on one. Canos knew many things about fighting and many things about killing. He could win a fight against many beasts and creatures, including what stood before him. However, he never was given the chance to fight as the next nazgul appeared and landed beside the other. Canos didn’t want to have to fight two at once and he smiled when the new nazgul commanded the other to stay. Canos could sense that the orcs feared the new nazgul and Canos knew that he had found Khamul. Canos smirked, figuring out what to do with this being now that he got its attention. Canos looked back at his own men and they were cowering as he smoke. Canos knew that the men could not help but fear what stood before them. He did not blame them for their cowardice. He too would be fearful if he were not what he was. Canos turned and faced Khamul again, his fear not showing in his eyes or able to be sensed by his opposition.

Canos, unlike the being before him was mortal and he realized that he could do here on this field. That gave him a little reason to worry about Khamul. The being was taller than him, but not by very much so his size was not intimidating. Canos was probably a superior swordfighter, but he didn’t know if his weapons alone would drive back the beast. Canos also didn’t know if he would have to kill the first nazgul and both pets. If he did have to kill all of those then he was going to be in quite a predicament. Canos smirked when Khamul presented himself. He was the heir of Sauron and that was amusing. Canos stood tall, twirling his short swords in his hand, as they grew red from the heat that began to run through them. There was a cruel and confident look in Canos’s eyes as he stood before the wraith. “I am Canos, lord of Nurn and ancient Mordor…” he paused, loving the next part, “Heir….of Morgoth!” Canos declared boldly. This being would know of Morgoth as Sauron’s master. Anyone of evil origin knew of the great one that came before Sauron. It was by no coincidence that Canos had come into some contact with him through the palantir. However, what would that do for his situation now?

[Khamûl]

Khamûl screamed in anger at this man's arrogant words, "That is a bold claim, man. One you are not worthy of!" The Nazgûl behind Khamûl drew his sword and the orcs surged forwards, but they suddenly halted, stumbling back as Khamûl let out another screech. He then readied his own sword, drawing from within his robes a second blade; a Morgul-Knife. "You had better hope you get struck by my sword, for if I stab you with this knife, you will be slowly affected by the sorcerous poison in the tip as it gradually spreads throughout your body. Once you are completely affected you will become a wraith like us and will be solely under my control, even if you were Morgoth himself!" Khamûl said, cruelty and confidence able to rival that of Canos' emanating from his body, and dripping off his words, "Now, we will see how worthy you are of that claim, man. Fight me and watch as your weapons are rendered useless."

OOC: Sorry it's so short, only had five mins until I had to eat - oh, and Faeora, if you see this, I'll post tomorrow or later today after I've eaten - sorry!

[Canos]

Canos backed into a fighting style as the orcs began to surge forward but then with a screech from their master, they rescinded. Canos smirked as Khamul stepped forward and, drawing both of his blades. Canos drew both of his swords as well, both of them red hot from the heat that was pulsing through the steel. Canos did not feel the Morgul blade. He doubted its effectiveness because it was made after Morgoth’s time and Morgoth would be far more powerful. Beyond that, the blade was only effective to the point of turning him into a full wraith if the blade broke in his body, like Frodo, the carrier of the ring. With just a stab the blade would not completely turn him into a wraith. Furthermore Canos was almost certain that he wouldn’t be under the dominion of Khamul for he was not the creator of the weapons, Sauron was and he was gone now. It was all irrelevant because Canos was not going to be struck. Canos smirked and readied himself. As he did so, there was a loud bugle call off in the distance. Canos turned to see what the cause was and he saw cavalry on the horizon. It wasn’t his and he knew it wasn’t Khamul’s. He didn’t use horses. Perhaps the Rohirrim. He turned to Canos. “The day…has only begun.” Canos said moving towards Khamul, both swords crossed before him.