I do not own Lord of the Rings, or any of Tolkien's characters. Any characters and plot lines I create are mine.

A/N: Well, that was a longer break than planned. Oops...

Chapter 8: Leaving

Strider was becoming worried. He had not seen Azruphel since she stormed out of his cell several hours ago. He did not know where she had gone, other than the fact that she needed to speak to someone. Strider assumed it was the man she had referred to. Perhaps it was Khamûl, Azruphel's father. Either way, Strider was worried the confrontation would not work out in her favor.

The door opened, and Strider looked up to see a figure in a black cloak holding a bundle. Strider feared the worst when the figure stepped closer, revealing Azruphel underneath the hood.

"If I let you go," she said, "Will you take me with you?"

"What?"

"I don't want to stay here. I have been lied to and used, and I want to see what it is like out there. I need someone to take me."

Strider considered for a moment. He had grown to trust Azruphel. "I will need my things," he said.

Azruphel smiled. She put down the bundle she was carrying in front of Strider, and he opened it to find everything the orcs had taken from him. "We need to leave now. The orcs will be gathered and eating. They will be not be close to where we are going." With that, Azruphel opened the door and tossed Strider a dark cloak, similar to her own. She then walked down the hall, not sneaking like Strider would have done, but confidently as if nothing were wrong with the situation. She did not go up the stairs, however. Instead, she went to the side of the staircase and squeezed through a crack that Strider did not notice until they were up close. Strider pushed himself through only to find a narrow passage that was almost dark.

"It is a shortcut to the stables. Barely anyone knows about it, and I am the only one who uses it," Azruphel said, anticipating the question. Strider smiled and followed her along the path before Azruphel paused once more, checked the area, and crawled out into a wide hall. Ten black horses stood in stalls, and Azruphel headed straight for the one on the end.

"This is Bûrzum," Azruphel said, introducing the stallion to Strider. Bûrzum eyed Strider, sweeping over him several times, before snorting and looking away. Azruphel just laughed. "That means he tolerates you."

Suddenly, Azruphel picked up on voices heading towards the stables. She pushed Strider into the stall and down onto the bedding. She was about to join him when a Nazgûl came around the corner. Azruphel froze. It was Adûnaphel.

"I thought I might find you here," she began. When Azruphel did not respond, she noticed the bag. "Are you going somewhere?"

"I don't know. I thought I might just go for a ride."

"I'll join you."

"Don't," Azruphel said, a little too firmly.

"Khamûl told me that you know. Uvatha said you were really upset, so I figured I would come down and check on you."

"Good for you."

The conversation stalled for a moment, before Adûnaphel spoke again. "We never talk anymore."

"I never knew what to say."

The conversation stalled again. This time, it was Azruphel who spoke first. "Is there something you want?"

Adûnaphel sighed. "I do not want you to leave."

"Well, you should have thought of that before all of you lied."

Adûnaphel gave in, realized Azruphel just wanted to be alone. "Just remember, I am your mom. I will see you later, Azruphel."

"Bye, Adûnaphel." Adûnaphel noticed that Azruphel did not call her Mother. After Adûnaphel left, Strider stood up in the stall.

"I do not think she saw me."

"Good," Azruphel replied. "Are you ready?" she asked, reaching up to smooth the mane of the black horse.

"Yes."

"I was talking to Bûrzum," Azruphel said, laughing. She saddled the horse and led him through the halls with Strider. She took them through a few halls before reaching the front courtyard. As Azruphel had said, the area was deserted. Strider kept looking over his shoulder, expecting someone to appear, but they met no orcs on their way. Even in the open walkway that led over the ravine, no one saw them. When they reached the other side, Azruphel mounted and pulled Strider up. Bûrzum was not happy about the extra passenger, but did not put up any resistance.

"Well, that went better than I thought it would," Azruphel said as they cantered away. Strider laughed.

"Do your plans usually go wrong?"

"Not usually, but normally when I walk around Minas Morgul I see a few orcs. It must be a meat night."

"You don't think they know, do they?" Strider asked, clearly concerned.

Azruphel shook her head. "If they knew, we would be captured or killed by now."

"That is a comforting thought."

"Well, think of something else, then."

"Alright," Strider said. "You need a new name."

"What is wrong with Azruphel?" she said, confused.

"If the Nazgûl come looking for you, they will be asking for an Azruphel. It is not a common name. People will remember it if they meet you. You need something less noticeable, and I do not think Shaataz will work."

Azruphel laughed. "Orc names are probably not the best idea. So, what do you propose?"

Strider thought about it before saying, "Something Rohirrim."

"I don't know many Rohirrim names."

Strider considered Azruphel for a moment. "You look like a Faran."

"Faran?"

"It suits you."

"It sounds like a man's name!"

"Well, you could pass as a man. Considering the way you dress, you may as well pretend to be one," Strider said, and Azruphel could hear the laughter behind that statement.

"Fine, I will be Faran, but you are explaining if someone finds out!"

Strider chucked. "Fair enough."

"So, what do I call you?" Azruphel asked.

"Call me Thorongil around others. When we are alone, Strider is fine."

"You thought out everything."

"Yes, I have," Strider laughed. "And unless something goes wrong in the next few minutes, I think it is a good plan!"

As Stride and Azruphel moved further from Minas Morgul, nine Nazgûl met to discuss the day's events.

"She was saddling Bûrzum when I arrived," said Adûnaphel. "I know she left, but I do not know where she went. I warned the orcs to stay clear of her because she was in a mood."

"Do you think she will come back?" Ren asked.

"Eventually, yes. She has nowhere to go," Khamûl replied.

"I am not so sure," said Uvatha. "She was very upset. She is resourceful, and could very well not return."

"I think you overestimate her, Uvatha," Khamûl said. "She is afraid of what other people will do to her, and she won't be able to stand being alone. Every time she runs, she goes to you or Shagrat or Bûrzum."

"Really, Khamûl? I think you underestimate her!" Uvatha sneered.

"This fighting is getting us nowhere!" shouted Er-Murazor. "This partially has to do with the prisoner. If she does not return in a few days, we will speak to him."

A/N: Please review!