"What are your terms?"

Syrus found great pleasure in Legolas's words. He was giving in. He would have the Evenstar within the hour.

Not wanting to end his fun game too soon, the evil spirit decided to taunt the company a bit, only for fun. He began with possibly the one he was most fascinated with, the Lady Arwen.

A valiant husband you have, my Lady, he said mockingly. Arwen jumped at hearing the voice in her head, for she had not been expecting it. All in the company looked at her, perhaps wondering why she had the look of awe and fright on her face, but Legolas was fairly sure he knew why. He assumed Syrus was talking to her.

Yes, I am talking to you. It would be a shame if he were to die. You know where the Evenstar is, don't you? Be a good girl. You listen to me, Lady. Listen to me.

Arwen did not respond to him, but she looked to the ground instead. Then Syrus continued on to the next person, Aragorn.

Where is the Evenstar, Ranger?! he demanded, much more forceful than when he'd spoken to Arwen. Do not test me, old man, your time is limited!

His attention turned to Zerameth. My dear princess, what a beauty you are. Yes, for you have captured the hearts of two young boys… the human and the elf. What a shame one is dead. Zerameth's glance turned to Yrinvan's body on the horse, and her eyes filled with tears. She had been friends with the boy since forever, and she couldn't imagine life without him.

"I want you to die a painful death," Zerameth said threateningly.

I have! Now it is your turn! The princess did not realize a difference at first, for the change was gradual, but maybe ten seconds later she realized that she was slowly being suffocated. She coughed and grabbed her neck, maybe hoping to loosen his grip on her, but since Syrus was a spirit he had no grip, he was merely controlling her lungs, so there was nothing she could do.

"Stop it!" Aragorn said, at first sounding commanding, but then his tone softened when he realized that this being controlled the life if his eldest daughter. "Please, stop it."

Perhaps I won't kill her, not yet. His invisible hand released the girl and she breathed normally once again.

He inwardly smiled when he noticed the elven prince Ohtar. Ah, the heir of Mirkwood, he said, showing mock-respect. Then his tone changed to a more snappy kind of voice. You will be king sooner than you think!

His comment did not seem to have much of an effect on Ohtar, for he kept his body composed and he would not let Syrus see him weakening. But Ohtar did not know that Syrus was better at reading feelings and emotions than any mortal or elf, and he knew that he had cut Ohtar maybe deeper than the rest by threatening his father.

He continued on to the rest, and when he then noticed Elviondel he found himself excited. You have returned to me.

"Only to slay you," she replied aloud. The company looked at her, wondering what Syrus had said.

No, that is not why you are here. You have come for Viennen and Galadriel, have you not?

"Galadriel is of no concern of mine, I only ask for Viennen," Elviondel replied evenly.

You shall have neither!

"You hide behind your army like a coward!" she spat. "How dare you place them in front of yourself at the battle line!"

My dear, do not worry. You will be dead soon in any case.

"I want Viennen. I…" Elviondel lowered her voice so that the company could not hear her. "I will hand in the company for her."

You are too late.

Sudden anger and shock hit her like a million arrows, and Elviondel's eyes showed her emotion. "You killed her!"

I killed them all! Syrus replied, now broadcasting it so that all could hear him, company and army. Every last one! You think I would let them live after what they had done?! The evil little rebel elves! The elven race is cursed, cursed I tell you! May they all burn!

The hate in his voice was enough to bring tears to Anywien's eyes. It was evident that he hated elves, not only by the things he said but his tone. It was pure hatred, poring over the words.

Legolas drew his sword. "I asked you your terms," he said evenly, aware that this spirit had been taunting all in his company. He did not want any of it, he only wanted to return home. "These games are not necessary. You want the Evenstar, we want our lives."

"You want our lives!" Elviondel said. "I want her life, and that is one thing he cannot give."

What is in the best interest of the company, iell?

Legolas's head snapped to the elven woman, as well as Aragorn's, Arwen's, Ohtar's and Anywien's. Iell was Sindarin for daughter.

Elviondel could not help the sobs that escaped her body. She bit her lip and tried not to cry as floods of memories returned. "Show me Viennen!"

Do you want to see Viennen? Do you really want to see her?

She nodded.

I will show you Viennen.

No one realized what was going on except for Elviondel, who saw in her head a vision of her younger sister being tortured and killed by Ums. She screamed and yelled and kicked and thrashed, but eventually her body no longer moved or breathed. The sight made Elviondel let out a wail of dispair and get off of her horse and shrivel into a small ball and cry ferociously, unsure of how else to deal with the immense pain.

"Terms," Legolas said, getting back to the point. "Let us go."

In due time. But maybe I will only let the Men go… yes, only the clean creatures. Horrible beings, the elves are. Slimy and lying and rude! Maybe I will kill the elves.

"We will give you the Evenstar," Legolas blurted. Aragorn looked at him in surprise, and Legolas himself couldn't believe he'd said it. Why was he going to give it to Syrus? What did he plan to do with it?

Yes, you will.

"If you spare us."

No, that I will not do. I think you will just give me the Evenstar and I will do with you as I please.

"Then we will not give it to you."

That was when Anywien's heart stopped beating and she fell, lifeless and cold, on her horse.

No, I think you will give it to me, anyway.