A heads up, this chapter switches between two characters points of view pretty frequently but I hope I made it pretty obvious as to who was talking. Enjoy:)

"We've been searching for days." Legolas was the first one to speak aloud in hours. His words were not meant as a complaint but Sythralen would surely take them as such.

"And we shall continue to search as long as needed." Her voice growled as it had grown accustomed to doing ever since they entered Mordor. She was a different Elf here. She was not the awe-inspiring, charismatic, fiery spirited general nor was she the lurker in the corner, the quiet before the storm, the devilishly charming corrupted one she once was. This Sythralen was entirely new and far more dangerous. A morsel of food hadn't passed her lips since they had set foot for Minas Morgul. At night she would stand far away, the silent guardian, constantly watching for dangers neither he nor Legolas could see. When she did sleep it would only be for an hour or two before she woke in a fit of tears and screams, never revealing what had frightened her so. Though she stood a few feet in front of him, he felt her distance. Her mind was not there and he feared it was lost in shadow.

Aragorn noticed the dryness of his throat but refused to take water. Their supply was dwindling in the heat of the barren land and so far a source for clean water had not been found. Not that water was what Sythralen was leading them too. Somehow she never wavered from whatever path she was on. Her directions were steady and confident as though secretly she knew the location. How could she though? She had never traveled into Mordor. Lord Elrond would never have allowed it after what happened in Lothlorien. He wondered if perhaps King Thranduil, the only Elf she had ever been in love with, could break her from this trance. They hadn't seen each other, or even spoken in years. Still he knew her heart had not changed. But that wouldn't help now. The King of Mirkwood was no where near them. Legolas was the next best thing but she wouldn't make eye contact with him for more than a minute. It was the same when she looked into his own eyes. In those beautiful emeralds of hers he could see that she was seeing something that caused her pain whenever she looked at them, something so terrible she would tear her eyes away and walk a few more steps ahead of the group.

"You would have us search for all eternity, Syth, but we would not last another week!" Legolas was deeply worried about his long time friend, but his patience was wearing thin. Aragorn noticed the increased tension in his voice, a tone he had only heard when spoke to Sythralen, but was always amazed at how soft it would turn to comfort her when she awoke terrified in the night.

"Well then die if you must. At least I would have silence." As soon as the words fell, her hard mouth turned into a quivering chin. "Oh my...I'm so sorry Legolas. I did not mean that." It was the first time she had sounded like herself in days. He walked to her and took her in a tight embrace.

"This cannot go on." He whispered. She began to sob as the embrace brought them both to the ground. "Whatever can be found at Minas Morgul is not worth this torture on you."

"No you don't understand. I have to find it. I have to." She muffled through his tunic.

"This will only get worse the closer we get." Aragorn chimed in, in as kind of a voice as he could manage. He had always cared for Sythralen. She had never been doubtful of him even with his heritage being what it was and was honest with him on every topic in times where he needed to face his own demons and he had come to think of her as a little sister.

"That's just it." She parted from Legolas and rose to meet Aragorn's face."That's how I know we are going in the right direction." So that was why she was allowing herself to go through this. Her bravery astounded him. Then she rolled her eyes and he was reminded of the she-elf that tortured, killed, and emerged covered in Dark Elf blood.

The way he was looking at her, as if she was the bravest person he knew was annoying. Aragorn appreciated bravery more than anyone she had ever met. Perhaps because he himself was courageous and it was something he understood. But this was not bravery! It was her, just her, wanting answers despite what pain her mind and body or her friends were going through. She rolled her eyes and his look passed to one of defense. Legolas had stood and taken a step back. They both feared her. As they should.

"We shall continue or am I the only who wishes to get what we set out of Isengard for?"

"A White Wizards words are the least of my concerns."

"You could have turned around." This was her 24th attempt of bringing this topic up. She wanted them both to go back, to get away from the millions of different deaths she could see when she looked in their eyes.

"We will not leave you to do this alone." Aragorn nodded in agreement with Legolas' words. She knew this conversation would get them no where so she turned and continued walking. It was her fault they were acting this way. She could not keep a lid on her emotions. One minute she was firm in her resolve then the next she could barely keep tears from falling, so much so that she could water the desert that was Mordor and produce plants! Everything had gotten so much worse. She was so tired but could never find rest. The visions had grown more disturbing and even began to play when her eyes were open on occasion. It caused her appetite to flee along with what felt like any inch of sanity she had. But she was right, the worse she became the closer they were to finding the source.

She was again the unstoppable force that had kept them walking for days. The fleeting moment of the Elf he had grown so fond of was gone. Aragorn had traveled with Sythralen many times before and she had always been one to enjoy the journey. She loved the open sky and galloping at full speed across lands of infinite splendor. She was also very fond of mountains. He recalled how quickly she could climb her way out of the valley of Imladris as though she was an animal that had been born upon its rocks. This Sythralen did not move her gaze from a fixed point ahead of her, not that Mordor was something to look at, but still it was not like her to ignore her surroundings. The heat and dust seemed to have no affect on her like it did on him and Legolas. The other Elf was lean and strong like a tree but even his steps were starting to slow. Aragorn had been alone with his thoughts for a while however he was beginning to notice something, a trail of blood. Now that he thought about it he had noticed small drops about 30 miles back. They had increased to puddles, darkening the ground. None of them were injured which meant Sythralen was tracking something that was.

"What are we following?" Aragorn asked causing Sythralen to stop suddenly. She didn't answer him at first or even turn around. "The blood of whatever is hurt is increasing so we are getting close. I would like to know what we shall find at the end of this trail."

Sythralen should have known the Ranger would notice her plan eventually. He was gifted and had taught her almost everything she knew about tracking. She sighed, turned to him and smiled. "Very good observation." Was all she said as she continued walking.

"Syth, where are you leading us?" She could feel the ache in her friends voice. Legolas was exhausted from dealing with her many mood shifts, the sound that fell from his lips and the sadness in his blue eyes was one word, defeat.

"The Nazgul sometimes keep their prey alive in their nest for a few days so if we follow the blood we find the creature."

"You are leading us right into the den of those fearsome creatures?!" Legolas' tired tone turned to surprise.

"Yes."

"Could you explain your reasoning?" Aragorn's tone remained level.

"Nazgul are known to nest near their masters."

"You think the nest may be near Minas Morgul?"

"I don't see you two coming up with a better plan."

"No, that makes sense. Perhaps including your companions in your plans would be a better way to prepare us." Suddenly Aragorn became stern, walking in front of her and taking lead of the group. She allowed it. He was a better tracker than she was.

If this was the path they were to take then Aragorn could at least aid in hastening its ending. He took over and Sythralen fell to the back of the group, watching his every move with a look of judgement.

"You don't have to humor her you know." Legolas began to walk in step with Aragorn. Sythralen had introduced them a few years ago and already a brother-like bond was beginning to form. "I know both of us have been going along with whatever she says but this-"

"Is a good idea." He put a hand on the Elf's shoulder. "I didn't say it because she wanted to hear it. There is a greater chance we can find this place if we find where these creatures call home."

"Even when we find them the danger will not end. Syth will not stop until she sees the Nine with her own eyes. "

"Information that could be well used." He stated plainly. In all honesty all of Sythralen's points were right, however, her method of handling things was rooted in a personal devouring desire. He could see that now. She wanted answers as to why the darkness was still plaguing her and she thought who better to ask than those that are corrupted.

"A foe we can not face. I have heard bits of what her visions consist of. She sees death, a fate I fear all of us will share."

"No one is dying here. Not in this foul place." From behind they heard Sythralen start laughing.

"So sure. The man hiding from the world is always so sure. Legolas isn't completely wrong. One of us will die here."

"I won't let that happen." Her comment only inflicted further injury on an wound that had been in his heart for years, a pain he was use to.

"Two Elves and a man against the Nine and Nazgul." She chuckled. "It's inevitable. Death is waiting to collect one of us." And her face read one thought: It will not be me. "Please, continue tracking, Ranger." She gave a gesture for him to move forward. He turned, not because he was commanded, but because he had felt his grip tighten on his sword.

"This is why I travel alone." He whispered under his breath.

"Forgive her." Legolas pleaded on her behalf. "It's this place. It's-it's not her. She would never say that. She doesn't think that about you." He would not address the part about death for both of them were aware that Sythralen was probably revealing truth.

"We shall know soon enough." Aragorn responded to the unsaid comment as he pointed ahead. Beyond the sharpness of the rocks, beneath the tall cliff was proof that the she-elf had been smart to follow the blood trail.

Two menacing gargoyles guarded the green crystal-like palace of Minas Morgul. It was eerily beautiful in a jagged, scaring way and so much mightier than she had imagined. Without a second thought she broke past Legolas and Aragorn to take in the sight of her triumph.

"At last."

Thank you all that are reading this story! Thank you for the reviews! I love reading them and getting feedback! Thank you to Zella Stormz for being awesome and please go and check out the story Starlight and Flames! I was asked a while back as to when Syth's story was taking place. At the beginning it's about 20 years before the Hobbit Unexpected Journey and now we are during the Unexpected Journey. Hope that helps to anyone else that may have had that question! I have some questions for all my readers. What do you think of the different changes in Sythralen's character and of the character as a whole? Are there things you don't like about her? Is there anything you are looking forward to? Any ideas as to what is going to happen in the next chapter? I want to know what you guys think!

-LokisGeneral