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: When did my Nazgûl become emotional beings? Yeah, kind of emotional, at least the one. I realize that they are OOC, but they have been from the beginning. In my original outline, this chapter did not exist, so hopefully it works out OK.

Chapter 18: Uvatha's Regret

Legolas and Azruphel stopped halfway to the Misty Mountains after a full day of riding. Legolas had seemed concerned the entire time, constantly watching their surroundings. When Azruphel asked, he said, "I feel as though evil has come into these woods." But when Azruphel pushed him to speak further, he could not say. When they made camp, however, Legolas prepared to keep watch the entire night.

Azruphel woke just as the moon was at its highest in the sky. Unable to fall back asleep, she walked over to Legolas. He noticed her approach, and did not move when she sat down next to him and looked up at the sky, at the brightest star.

"Is it true, that Eärendil sails the night with a Silmaril upon his brow?" Azruphel asked.

"That is what the stories tell us," Legolas said with a smile. "You seem to know your history."

Azruphel chuckled, if only to affirm Legolas' statement. She did know her history, as Hoarmurath had taught her well. Though, her history was from a biased source.

"There is much I do not know," she said.

Legolas and Azruphel were silent until she said, "I do not think I will be doing much sleeping tonight. I can keep watch if you wish to sleep."

"Elves do not need much sleep," Legolas teased, "but I will rest, thank you."

The first thing Azruphel noticed, after a few minutes, was that Legolas did not close his eyes. She approached him to check, even waved her hand in front of his face, but got no response.

"That is a little concerning," Azruphel said to herself, but then heard a rustling in the bushes and saw Nightfall's ears perk up. Azruphel quietly drew her sword, and walked into the woods to investigate. At first, she saw nothing. But then, she caught a glimpse of a dark horse and cloak…

"Azruphel?" the figure said, the voice thin, wispy, and unrecognizable, except to Azruphel.

"Uvatha?" she asked, tightening her grip on her sword.

"I am so glad I found you," the Nazgûl said, approaching. Except Azruphel didn't lower her sword; she raised it higher instead.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I wanted to find you."

"To drag me back?"

"No!" Uvatha said. "But I will not say the same about the others. Please, Azruphel, I just wish to speak with you."

Azruphel sighed and lowered the sword, but did not put it down completely. "Say what you have to say, Uvatha."

"Er-Murazor plans to find you, and if you refuse to return, he will force you. He will change you into a wraith."

"And you do not want that?"

"I told you," he said, and if he had been Human, he would have smiled. "You have a choice."

"I still haven't made one," Azruphel said sadly.

"You haven't?"

"I like it here. I love it here. I made friends, but…" Azruphel trailed off, unable to find the right words.

Uvatha decided to break the silence that fell by asking, "When did you begin keeping the company of Elves?"

"He asked if I wanted to accompany him. I figured, since I do not know the area that I would go with him" Azruphel said. "He does not know about me," she added to answer Uvatha's unasked question.

"What about the prisoner?"

"We had an argument. We separated."

"Why are you still unsure?" Uvatha asked.

"I still care about you. All of you," Azruphel replied. "I cannot decide now." She looked away. "I want to make it to the sea. Then, after I have seen this world from east to west, I will know."

"You may not have that time, Azruphel. If the others find you…"

"Why is March 5th my birthday?" Azruphel asked suddenly.

Uvatha sighed. "That was the day we took you to Mordor."

"And was I with anyone?" she asked quietly. She was a little afraid of the answer.

"A man. I believe he was your true father."

Azruphel sighed, both saddened and relieved. "I think I met my brother. And my sister."

"I hope you did." Azruphel was silent, so Uvatha continued. "Adûnaphel was the one who thought about taking you. I was worried at first, but eventually felt the same. Perhaps even Khamûl, too. The three of us were there."

"But why?" Azruphel asked.

"We are selfish, Azruphel. We are immortal beings. We told you that it would be wonderful, but it isn't. You are only nineteen years old. Can you even imagine thousands? Having to watch your friends die, your children die? You were going to be ours forever! Can you blame us for wanting that?"

Tears were beginning to run down Azruphel's cheeks as Uvatha went on. "I regret allowing my desire for power destroy me. I regret leaving behind my people. But I do not regret raising you. You were my only resistance. You are the reason I can approach you, speak to you, do what I desire rather than him. You reminded me of who I used to be."

"No," Azruphel said, shaking her head. "If I go, you will disappear. If you cannot resist, you will not be yourself anymore. Only the wraith will remain!"

"Azruphel!" Uvatha said. "If I am to have my last act, it will be an honor knowing it was to help you."

"I wish this were easy," Azruphel sobbed. "I wish I could make a choice without destroying one of my families."

"I understand."

"But, I must. Uvatha, I am so sorry. I cannot go back. If the other Nazgûl plan to force me, then they have made my decision." She collapsed forward in tears, leaning into the Nazgûl that had acted like a father for her.

"Azruphel, you are worth it." They stayed in the same position for several minutes, before Uvatha said, "It is time to depart. Er-Murazor expects you to head towards Rivendell. I suggest you go west. Never put your ring on again!"

"I won't," she said.

"Goodbye Azruphel," he said, mounting his horse and disappearing into the forest.

"Farewell Uvatha," Azruphel said after he was out of sight. "Thank you, and farewell."

Azruphel wiped the tears from her eyes and turned, only to find an arrow aimed at her throat.

"If you would be so kind, Azruphel, explain why you were conversing with a Nazgûl!" Legolas said softly, but as a clear command. Azruphel sighed.

"I am a kidnapped human raised to become a Nazgûl that ran away several weeks ago to find the truth to the many lies I was told. The companion I told you about was a prisoner that I released and asked to be a guide, and we separated because of an argument about my loyalties. At this point, I met you, and the Nazgûl I was speaking with is the only one of the nine that cares for my well-being. He told me the other Nazgûl expect me to head towards Rivendell, presumably to confess all of Mordor's secrets, and advised me to continue my original course west in order to avoid being forced to return to Mordor."

Legolas did not lower his bow, but he didn't fire either. "How much did you hear?" Azruphel asked.

"Just your final goodbyes."

"Please, Legolas. All I wanted to know was what is beyond Mordor, but I will not return now. The Nazgûl you saw, Uvatha, was like a father to me. Even he did not want me to return. That is the truth."

Legolas finally lowered his bow. "I can see the truth in your eyes, however I do not trust you completely. If for a second you shift towards them, I will not hesitate to kill you."

Azruphel stared at Legolas in disbelief, before recovering. "I can stay?" she asked.

"I would rather keep my eye on you than let you wander alone."

Azruphel considered this and nodded slowly. "Fair enough," she said.

"What this Nazgûl said to you, are all nine in the area?" Legolas asked.

Azruphel did not get the chance to answer, as the quiet woods were suddenly filled with the piercing sound of a Nazgûl scream.

A/N: Reviews make me happy.