A/N: It has been a long time indeed. Sorry y'all. College, work, the sudden realization of adulthood, and other things that don't really excuse myself appeared. My interests shifted, and I stopped thinking about this story. Now, due to Winter Break, I am trying to finish it. It probably won't be long, and will probably conclude in an epilogue (sorry, but I don't want to rewrite Lord of the Rings with Azruphel in it). Anyway, I apologize.

Chapter 19: Strider, Estel, and Aragorn

The scream had ended several seconds ago, but the echo still lingered in the forest. Legolas shuddered, and Azruphel paled slightly. It wasn't Uvatha's call. He had been right: the others were close. She knew what she should do.

"I must leave," she said, gathering her bag and walking towards Nightfall.

"Why?" Legolas asked.

"I am putting you in danger. I am going to do what Uvatha suggested. I will go to Bree, hide there and hope they do not continue their search beyond this area."

"And what should I do, with Nazgûl about?" Legolas asked.

"Come with me!"

"No. I must return to Rivendell. They need to be warned of the Nazgûl."

Azruphel hesitated, but a second scream made up her mind. "Then I guess this is where we part."

Legolas opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted by the sound of hooves rapidly approaching. Azruphel drew her sword. But the horse that galloped frantically up to them was not black.

"Brehan?" Azruphel said, reaching to catch the reins when the horse skidded to a halt a few feet from her. She stroked the horse, speaking in a soothing voice, but ultimately very concerned.

"He is frightened, but not tired," Legolas said, having come up next to Azruphel. "He could not have run far. You know this horse?"

"Yes. Brehan belongs to my companion. But where-" Azruphel trailed off. The scream had been close, very close.

Without any warning, Azruphel leaped on her horse, kicking him forward in the direction Brehan had just come from. Azruphel heard Legolas call after her, but she didn't stop. After riding a short distance, Azruphel paused to listen. She could hear another horse behind her, and hoped that it was Legolas and not another Nazgûl responding to the call. Azruphel closed her eyes and waited; years of living in darkness had greatly increased her hearing. There were the hoofbeats behind her, but little else. There were no birds or insects in the area, a concerning quiet she knew to be caused by a Nazgûl. Still she waited and strained her ears, until finally the faint sound of metal on metal could be heard ahead and to the left.

Azruphel spurred Nightfall again, galloping as quickly as she could with little regard for the dangers of surrounding trees. Finally, she rounded a corner to see the remains of a barely smoldering fire and dark figures; one supporting himself on one arm on the ground and the other a towering shadow, moving in for the kill. With a shout, Azruphel jumped off Nightfall's back, drawing her sword up and cutting off the intended strike.

Immediately after the first blow, Azruphel fell back into a defensive stance. While she could get away with being forward towards the inexperienced orcs, the skill of a Nazgûl was difficult to match. She didn't strike at the Nazgûl before her, who she could now tell was Ren. Neither moved at first, but Azruphel could tell that he was shocked by her sudden appearance.

"This is unexpected, Azruphel," he began in black speech. Azruphel couldn't help but feel disgusted by the language after weeks of listening to elvish.

"Leave, Ren. I do not wish to be followed any further."

"You would defend this Ranger?" Ren asked. Azruphel chose not to respond. Her lack of movement was her answer.

"So be it," Ren said, and advanced. Azruphel knew every move Ren could make, but still found it difficult to meet the Nazgûl blow for blow. Still she did her best to keep herself between Ren and Strider, who she realized had made no move to stand and assist her since she arrived. Pushing those thoughts out of her head, Azruphel put all her focus into blocking her opponent.

It soon became clear, however, that her strength was not enough. While she was strong at nineteen years, Azruphel hadn't trained since leaving. It was enough time to make her moves slow and ungraceful, and it wasn't long before Ren had turned and backed her against a tree.

"One last chance, Azruphel," Ren said, reaching into the folds of his cloak for what Azruphel knew to be a Morgul blade. If she wouldn't return willingly, they would make her return by force. Unfortunately for Ren, he didn't know that Azruphel had two chances. Quickly reaching to her side, Azruphel pulled a small knife she kept hidden and threw it at Ren. It wouldn't do much damage, if any, but the distraction caused the Nazgûl to scream and step back, giving Azruphel enough room to slip around him. She had a moment to glance at Strider. He was beginning to move. Azruphel let out a sigh of relief before turning back towards Ren.

"I asked you to leave," Azruphel tried one last time. She was glad to not be wearing her ring, not wanting to know the expression on Ren's face. She could guess though when Ren hissed and stepped forward again.

Azruphel and Ren wouldn't meet. She had forgetting about Legolas, who had been watching the battle and starting a fire. He stepped into the opening, brandishing his torch, and Ren immediately shrank away from the flames.

"Thank you," Azruphel said after Ren had gone. Immediately the air felt warmer, and the sounds of nature were returning. Both Legolas and Azruphel turned towards Strider, worried expressions on their faces. The elf's face, however, turned from worry into recognition, and then to dread.

"Estel!" he gasped, falling on his knees next to the rousing Ranger. The man Azruphel originally knew as Strider opened his eyes, and whispered, "Legolas," back with some confusion. Azruphel simply stood back, not wanting to interrupt their reunion as well as feeling out of place in the situation. She couldn't believe that the man she rescued was the same friend Legolas had been searching for.

"What are you doing here?" Estel asked.

"I was looking for you, and I found a friend of yours," Legolas said, helping Estel sit up. Estel locked eyes with Azruphel, surprised to see her again. Suddenly, Estel let out a cry of pain, his hands flying towards his left side. Legolas quickly searched the area, finding a cut from Ren's sword. Azruphel ran over as well.

"It is not deep," Legolas said, inspecting the wound.

"It is more than likely poisoned," Azruphel said back.

"Did they wish to kill you?"

"No, though they would have wanted to incapacitate me. It may be a poison that takes a long time to kill."

"Do you know athelas?" Legolas asked.

"No."

"It slows most poisons. Stay here! There may be some nearby." Legolas left, leaving Azruphel to watch Estel.

Azruphel knew they couldn't remain for long. The Nazgûl would return soon, in greater numbers than before. Ren would gather the nine, and likely force Uvatha to ride against her. She hated the thought. But for now she stayed with Strider, Estel as he was also called, until Legolas returned.

***Azruphel***

"She was defending the Ranger," Ren proclaimed to the group. "I wounded him. They cannot go far, but Azruphel is in the company of an elf!"

The other Nazgûl screamed in rage, except for Uvatha. He had told Azruphel to run, but she clearly hadn't listened.

Er-Murazor was not entirely convinced. Turning to Khamûl, he asked, "Is there anything more that can be done?"

Khamûl snuck a glance towards Adûnaphel, who was saddened by Azruphel's latest choices. "No," he said. "There is nothing to be done."

With that, the nine Nazgûl turned their horses in the direction Azruphel had been.

***Azruphel***

"I did not know he was the friend you spoke of," Azruphel said once they were heading towards Rivendell again. Brehan had run off, so Estel rode with Legolas. Since Legolas had returned, Estel had fallen asleep, but he was shivering.

"I am not surprised. Estel has many names," Legolas said. "Strider is how he is known among the Rangers. Estel is how he known among the elves."

"And his real name?" Azruphel asked. Legolas paused, considering the question.

"You must not tell anyone his true identity!" Legolas finally replied.

"I promise I will not," Azruphel said.

After a moment, Legolas said, "Aragorn. His name is Aragorn. Son of Arathorn."

While she didn't know Aragorn, Azruphel was familiar with the name Arathorn. The entire line had been taught to her over and over until she could say it in her sleep. Suddenly she was very glad to have not learned his true identity in Minas Morgul.

Azruphel, Legolas, and Aragorn continued north. The Nazgûl weren't far behind.

A/N: As always, favorite and review if you want.