Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out."

I kept repeating those words to myself, focusing all my energy on breathing. It helped me ignore the constant pain, making it a dull ache instead of the horrible pain it really was. He would come again for me soon. I could feel it in the way the air shifted from stagnant to carrying a slight breeze. It always changed like that when the time approached. It was the only way I could tell how much time had passed anymore. Locked away in my tower prison in Barad Dur with no windows, I had no idea if it was day or night. Not that a window would have made much difference. After all, Mordor was a dark place, the black clouds always covering the sun. The only light came from the candles and torches, along with the slight red glow from Mount Doom. Groaning, I sat up and leaned against the cool stone, staring at the small door that kept me here. I could hear the footsteps approaching and shuddered. It was time.

"Hello there princess. Have a nice rest?" He leered at me through the bars at the top of the door. The Mouth of Sauron. He had a name once, but no one could remember it anymore. He had been in my father's service for as long as I could recall. They always sent him to get me. I wasn't sure why. At first, when I was younger, he had scared me. Now all I felt was resignation and anger. He symbolized everything I hated, everything I tried to escape.

"Oh, it was just wonderful. Thank you for asking." I rolled my eyes, sarcasm dripping from my voice. He growled and flung open the door, then walked over to me and grabbed me by my throat. Pulling me to my feet, he slammed me against the wall, pressing me into it.

"Shut up. Looks like you need an extra hour or two downstairs to teach you some respect."

When was a child, I used to try and keep out of trouble by being as respectful as I could, but I had learned long ago it didn't do anything. They always had a reason to extend my time downstairs. Realizing my efforts to behave were getting me no where, I turned to sarcasm to cope. Try as hard as they might, I refused to break. In all honesty, I think they liked that about me. As long as I didn't break, I was fun for them. I had tried once to convince them I had broke, but couldn't keep up the act. I hadn't tried since.

I glared at him, attempting to convey my hatred with my eyes. He just smirked and proceeded to drag me out of my room and down the steps. I didn't struggle much. It was useless for me to do so. He would just chase me down or send the orcs after me. Down, down, down we went. The stairs felt endless to me, though there honestly wasn't that many. We finally came to the bottom and followed the corridor toward the torture chamber. The lack if screaming from it told me no one was there. That was a relief. I hated it when someone else was there. I could handle my own pain, but I didn't like to hear others cry out.

"Halt! Lord Sauron requests the presence of his daughter immediately." One of the thralls addressed the Mouth and I turned my head to look at him, shocked. My father had not requested my presence in over a thousand years. I couldn't even imagine why he wanted to see me now.

"Fine. I shall take her there then. You may go back to your job." The Mouth snarled at the man. He was obviously displeased that he'd have to put off our "quality bonding time."

"No sir. I am to take her to him. You are to go help squash a minor rebellion down in the pits. Sauron's orders."

Once again, shock filled me. I had not been escorted anywhere by anyone else than the Mouth for a long time. He flung me towards the thrall and glared. "Take her then. If I find out you've been lying, you shall die a slow, painful death." With those words, he turned and stormed toward the pits, leaving me alone with the man. The man took my arm and gently began to lead me away from the area. I stared at him out of the corner of my eye, assessing him. Maybe, just maybe, I could take him down and make a run for it. I may have been weak, but I wanted my freedom.

He must have sensed my plan because he tightened his grip on my arm and pulled me to him, grabbing my other arm with his free hand. I was now walking in front of him, arms behind me. Before I had the chance to fight back, he leaned forward and whispered.

"My lady, please don't fight. Just listen to me. Your father has not really requested to see you. I'm taking you to the entrance. Escape, princess. Run away and don't come back."

I turned my head slightly to look at him. This couldn't be happening. It had to be a trick. "Why are you doing this?" I couldn't fathom why someone would willingly lie just to help me escape.

He released his grip on me and moved to walk beside me, leading the way. "You saved my father. That day in the pits. We servants never forgot that, and those of us who remained swore to help you escape."

I could see it up ahead; the entrance to the tower. There were no guards this close. No one ever made it this far. I stopped before the entrance and turned to him, confusion plainly visible on my face. "But you will die. He said he'd kill you, and not quickly either. How can I run, knowing it will cost you your life? I cannot in good conscience do so." This man, no, this elf, was willing to die to help me escape. I couldn't do that. I wanted to be free, but not at the cost of a life.

He gave me a shove toward the door and smiled at me. "If you don't run, you have made every thrall that gave their life today in the distraction in the pits lose their life in vain. My lady, just go. I knew the cost of this plan and accepted it. Please don't make it worth nothing."

I nodded, torn. Turning my back to him, I grasped the handle and threw it open. I decided to go. I'd probably never get a chance like this again. "I will go then, but answer one last question. What is your name?"
"Bered."

"I turned one last time and smiled at him, the first smile I'd had for so long, and bowed. "I shall not forget your sacrifice Bered. I swear to you that one day I will free the people enslaved by my father."
With that, I turned and fled into the wasteland that was my father's land.