The interior of the evil fortress was dark and murky; it smelled of rotten foliage and decomposing flesh. Strategically placed torches lit the slimy black stone hallways. Parts of the hallway wall were covered in wild vines, as if nature was trying in vain to reclaim this part of the forest.

Uvuk led the guests along the corridor. Orlindel's mind was focused on his surroundings. Instinctively he was preparing an escape route if necessary. Gollum was quiet. He was pleased with himself and the final result of the day.

After some time, the corridor ended at a large chamber door. The door was an enormous, solid piece of dark wood. Along the arched top, runes were carved in the Black Tongue of Mordor. Images of Mountain Trolls or Olog-hai as Qadir now called them, poised in battle, were burned into the wood. Uvuk knocked loudly on the door and the door swung open slowly by itself.

Qadir was sitting upon his throne. Two large and heavily armored orcs stood to either side of him. He motioned for Orlindel to come closer and for Uvuk to hold Gollum where he was.

As the elf lord approached, Qadir spoke, "You have my undivided attention, elf. Tell me what you know."

Orlindel grit his teeth for a moment and stared at the Lord of Dol Guldur, thinking that he might have made a mistake in coming here. The Dark Lord's disposition had changed. He seemed almost friendly, and this made the elf extremely uneasy.

Qadir smiled and said, "You did not come all this way to stare at me. Come now, tell me what you know and you may go home."

Orlindel nodded his head in affirmation and spoke, "Linnah was alerted. She knows you are aware of her being at the castle."

"How is that possible?" Before the elf could answer, a thought entered Qadir's mind and he immediately turned his eyes toward Gollum. His expression changed into the more familiar horrifying scowl and the dark lord started to rise from his throne. Gollum shuffled quickly behind Uvuk and cowered in fear.

"It was not the creature that alerted her," said Orlindel quickly.

Qadir looked back at Orlindel and the scowl disappeared. "How then?"

"It would be more correct to ask who…Linnah received a message from her mother."

Qadir's eyes widened in surprise and said, "Her mother is alive!"

"No. Apparently she spoke to Linnah in a vision…One conjured up by her song."

"I see," said Qadir thoughtfully and he sat back down on his chair. There seemed to be a tinge of worry in the tonality of his voice, but his face masked any concern.

Orlindel thought it prudent not to comment on this and continued, "Now that we are aware of your knowledge of Linnah in our kingdom, arrangements are being made for her departure. She is preparing to leave Mirkwood in one week and has begun her daily training in the wilds to the Northwest of Thranduil's Halls."

"Training?"

"Yes. Defensive training to prepare her for her journey." Orlindel made a motion with his hand in the necromancer's direction and said, "Since her arrival to our kingdom, she has remained safe behind within borders. In fact, she has never been outside the castle grounds before and is as yet unskilled in defending herself."

"Really?" asked Qadir, oozing charm, "And where exactly is she going?"

"Forlindon."

Qadir laughed sickly. "That is a bold journey, for one never outside of the elf king's realm."

"She will not be journeying alone. A ranger from the north will be escorting her…A ranger in close kinship with Mithrandir."

Qadir scowled and muttered, "So, Mithrandir is involved in this? Why I am not surprised." He looked away thoughtfully. When he turned his attention back to Orlindel, his face was serene. "What else can you tell me of my daughter?" he asked almost sweetly.

Orlindel smiled back, because what he was about to reveal next pleased him immensely. "Your daughter is very much in the favor of King Thranduil's only son."

The Dark Lord immediately stood once again from his throne and quickly approached the elf lord. He stopped when he was close enough to touch him and stared hard at the elf. His eyes were wild with excitement and he asked urgently, "Are you telling me the truth, elf? How do you know this? Tell me everything you know on this account."

"Until very recently, your daughter earned her keep by working as a handmaiden. Then Thranduil's son, Legolas, inexplicably fell in love with her. She has ceased her duties and spends all her time with him now."

"Really?" mused Qadir.

"Yes and even more so than that, they have bonded."

The evil one's eyes twinkled with delight. He had seen the vision of a noble elf when he had probed his daughter's mind. He had never imagined it would be the heir of Mirkwood. This was almost too good to be true. He looked back at the elf in earnest and asked, "You mentioned delivering Linnah to me? What do you have in mind?"

"I am privy to the details surrounding Linnah's departure. When she leaves our realm, I am told the ranger will take her through the High Pass over the mountain before making a stop in Rivendell. This is a dangerous path, as there are several areas along this route where the path narrows through deep crags; areas where they will be vulnerable to attack from above…," he paused and smiled knowingly at the Dark Lord before he continued, "I give you my oath, I will ensure Linnah's capture."

Qadir placed a hand on the elf's shoulder, ignoring the way the elf lord flinched at his touch and said, "Thank you for your candor. I will have you escorted out of the fortress and you may go." He motioned to Uvuk, "I am in a giving mood for the first time in over a hundred years, release the elf."

Gollum immediately wailed, "But what of the precious? Master promised us! Master promised!"

Qadir smiled evilly at the shrieking creature and closed his eyes for a moment. A faint red glow could be seen peeking out from under his thick black lashes. When he opened his eyes again, the red glow was gone. He looked evenly at Gollum and said, "You may find what you are looking for in the mithril mines of Moria."

Gollum's eyes widened and he leapt around with glee.

"What! How can you let him go?" asked Orlindel confused. "Send him back with me instead; he is after all, a prisoner of Mirkwood."

"You are lucky that I have not destroyed you elf! Leave me now, before I change my mind!" shouted Qadir, outraged. He turned his attention to one of the armored orcs standing beside him and said, "Escort them out. Instruct the others to give them safe passage."

The orc nodded his head and led Gollum and Orlindel from the throne room. When the visitors were out of earshot, the Dark Lord motioned to Uvuk and said, "Have Gollum followed, we will continue to watch him closely."

Uvuk bowed deeply to his master and left to inform the others.