Crossing the Great Sea by elennalore
Fanwork Notes
Written for the Monthly challenge Allusive, my prompt was cross the Rubicon.
Please note that this ficlet contains SPOILERS for my TRSB 2026 fic Idolatry. My original character first appeared in that fic, and this is a short sequel from his perspective.
- Fanwork Information
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Summary:
He has perhaps made a great mistake, but it's too late now.
Major Characters: Original Male Character(s)
Major Relationships: Sauron & Original Character
Genre: General
Challenges: Allusive
Rating: General
Warnings:
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 392 Posted on Updated on This fanwork is complete.
Crossing the Great Sea
Read Crossing the Great Sea
Karbûkhâd had been over the great sea only once before. He had been an officer in Ar-Pharazôn’s army then, knowing that he would return home if only he lived through the war. When the victorious war was over, he returned to Númenor together with the King’s army – who brought Zigûr with them. Looking back to that fateful journey, Karbûkhâd knew that his life had changed already back then. For the worse or for the better, he was not sure yet, but he had his suspicions. He didn’t need to be a pessimist to realise that he had perhaps made a great mistake by accepting Zigûr’s gift.
Crossing the great sea felt more final this time. Karbûkhâd was not sure where his home was anymore, or if he even had one now. Travelling anonymously without an official uniform, he felt quite invisible and forsaken, even though he had work to do. He was hired as an extra hand to cover his travel expenses. Unused to physical work, he was given the most menial tasks on the ship. In the end, the crew knew that he would leave them as soon as they arrived in Umbar, going on an adventure of his own; trying his luck in a foreign country.
Only it was not about going on an adventure. Zigûr had personally sent him to Middle-earth for reasons of his own. Zigûr, or Tar-Mairon, as some people called him now, and perhaps Karbûkhâd should, too, now that he was wearing his ring. There were others like him, apparently, who saw the unseen world and who could not oppose Sauron’s direct orders. And Sauron, Zigûr, Tar-Mairon had ordered him to leave Númenor and find the others. It was a command of power, and he could not turn back without Sauron’s exact orders. But Sauron was in Númenor, over the great sea. And knowing the mighty Maia, Karbûkhâd knew he should not expect pity from him.
He felt it deep in his heart; a painful longing and grief. He would not return home. The ring he carried was growing heavier by the day, and it urged him on. He could not but obey Zigûr’s command.
Chapter End Notes
Karbûkhâd first appeared in my fic Idolatry (link in the story notes). He's a Númenórean officer whom Sauron gave the last of the Nine rings.
