I don't own Lord of the Rings.
A/N: I have nothing important to say, so random personal stuff! I cut off all my hair. Like 9 inches of hair! It is so short now I keep feeling how soft it is!
Chapter 20: Facing the Family
"How much further?" Azruphel asked Legolas. They had been travelling for a few days, and Azruphel was worried about Aragorn getting worse. She and Legolas alternated who rode with Aragorn, and he was currently with Azruphel on Nightfall. The times Aragorn was awake had him insisting that he would be fine, but Azruphel could, even now, feel him shiver despite the sweat covering him.
"Not far," Legolas answered. He always said the same words, and Azruphel could tell that he was just as anxious as she was.
"Please, Legolas. The Nazgûl must be close!" Despite keeping her ring off, Azruphel could feel their presence close by.
"I know. We will arrive before the end of the day." That calmed Azruphel slightly.
Legolas and Azruphel took a short break, where they woke Aragorn and moved him onto Legolas's horse. As the sun began to set, Azruphel noticed a river in the distance. Normally the sight of water would make her uncomfortable, but this time she smiled, remembering her lessons with Legolas.
When they began walking across the field, however, Azruphel noticed how Legolas's horse had become increasingly nervous, while Nightfall seemed fine. Her eyes scanned the trees along the side of the field, and she knew where the Nazgûl were hidden.
"They are here," she whispered to Legolas, and he took notice of them as well. "What should we do?" Azruphel asked.
"The river is not far. We will have to run!"
"No. This is a trap." Azruphel was silent for a moment, thinking. How could they all reach Rivendell safely? The answer was simple; they couldn't.
"You run," Azruphel said. "They want me more than Aragorn. They do not know who he is." Legolas started to protest, but Azruphel cut him off. "You must go, Legolas."
"You cannot hold them all," Legolas finally said.
"No, but I do not believe I will have to," Azruphel said, knowing she could delay a battle by talking first. "Trust me. Come back for me if you can, but make sure Aragorn is safe."
With one last look, Legolas turned his horse towards the river and took off at a gallop. Azruphel reached into her bag, pulling out the old dwarf ring that had become hers, the ring she hadn't worn since leaving Minas Morgul several weeks ago. With a deep breath, she slipped it on. Immediately the world altered slightly. It wasn't much, but the details sprang forward. Tiny sounds were magnified, distant objects were in focus, and nine figures hidden by trees and brush were clearer than ever before. As Legolas sped away, Azruphel let loose a loud shriek, starting low but quickly hitting a high pitch before coming down again. The nine figures quickly moved towards the waiting girl.
What many men could not hear was the subtle differences in the Nazgûl calls. In order as they left their hiding places was each screaming response. Azruphel always knew which Nazgûl was which, and especially noticed the subdued quality to Uvatha, the eager tone of Ren, the reserved note of Adûnaphel, and the furious sounds of Khamûl and Er-Murazor. It wasn't long before she was surrounded, but Azruphel did not draw her sword. She would have to delay a fight as long as possible if she wanted to live.
"Hello Azruphel," Khamûl said.
"Hello Khamûl, Adûnaphel, Er-Murazor," Azruphel said to the three in front of her. She turned and nodded to the rest, wishing she could say more to Uvatha. "I wish it was nice to see you," she continued, switching to Common Tongue. While the black speech did not make her as uncomfortable as it did when she first heard it from Ren, she wanted to establish herself as the one in charge. They would change to her.
"It is time to come back, Azruphel," Er-Murazor said, and Azruphel allowed herself a smile at her tiny victory. The smile was quickly replaced with a frown.
"I have not been everywhere I wished to go. I cannot return now," Azruphel said, buying time.
"You wish to visit Rivendell?" Khamûl said with disgust.
"Perhaps, along with a few other places."
"You are coming home, Azruphel," Er-Murazor continued.
"Home," Azruphel said slowly, as if feeling the word on her tongue. "Home, to my father and mother? Oh wait… you killed my father the day you took me to Mordor! I did not ask about my mother, but I figure she is dead, too!"
"Azruphel!" Adûnaphel shouted, speaking for the first time.
"I tried so hard to be your daughter! I tried not to notice that I was the only child amongst orcs! I almost believed you, too. But now I know the truth, because I had to find it on my own!" Azruphel was close to shouting.
"Azruphel, stop this!" Khamûl said, but he couldn't stop her.
"YOU LIED TO ME! YOU DID NOTHING BUT LIE TO ME!"
"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Er-Murazor yelled. "You are coming with us."
"Are you going to make me?" Azruphel mocked.
Er-Murazor turned to Khamûl. "No. Your father will," he said, and eight of the nine Nazgûl backed away, and Khamûl approached.
"Come home, Azruphel. I do not want to force you."
"It looks as though you will have to," Azruphel replied. Within the circle of Nazgûl, it was clear what Azruphel and Khamûl were expected to do. Azruphel slid off Nightfall, and Khamûl did the same with his horse. Both drew their swords. Azruphel stood calmly, waiting for Khamûl to make his first move. She did not have to wait long.
***Azruphel***
Legolas was relieved when he reached the ford and crossed, having not been chased by any of the Nazgûl. He also knew why that was and that Azruphel was still in danger. Looking over his shoulder, he knew that she was surrounded, even if he couldn't see her directly.
"Legolas!" he turned towards his name being called, seeing Elrond and Gandalf moving towards him on horses. "We heard the Nazgûl! What has happened?" Before Legolas could answer Elrond, Elrond noticed the man with him. "Is that Estel?"
"He was poisoned, and we were followed," Legolas said, jumping off his horse and walking towards Gandalf. "My friend distracted the Nazgûl so we could escape. I must help her!"
Gandalf nodded, and Legolas pulled himself up behind Gandalf. Without a word they took off in the direction of the Nazgûl.
***Azruphel***
Khamûl was an excellent fighter. Azruphel knew that from their many practices. He was almost as good as Er-Murazor, and Azruphel was reminded of this at the first few blows. The other Nazgûl just stood there, waiting to see who would win before any intervened. Azruphel knew they were expecting Khamûl to be victorious, especially after he threw her to the ground the first time.
Khamûl was patient, waiting for Azruphel to return to her feet. As she did, she locked eyes with Uvatha. He looked at her with a certain sadness and regret. Azruphel hoped she could hold out long enough, so if Legolas returned, she could escape.
But it wasn't long until Khamûl had her on the ground again, and this time he made a move for the kill. Well, not the kill, Azruphel knew. He was going to turn her into a wraith, just like them. She would never be able to escape, trapped under them forever.
"Time to go home, Azruphel," he said, pulling out the Morgul knife and raising it above Azruphel.
As Azruphel reached for her sword in a desperate attempt to block, she noticed how the light from the setting sun lit her sword like flames. A few months ago, though it felt like a lifetime, she had set fire to a candle during her private lessons with Er-Murazor. It was last second thought, but if she concentrated… imagined the sunlight into flames…
It was as if a lever had been pulled in her mind, and a gate was opened. The sword burst into flames, and after getting over her shock she swung it at Khamûl. It didn't make contact, but the fire had the desired effect. Khamûl screeched, leaping backwards as the others' horses shied away. Azruphel continued to swing the sword, turning to scare the Nazgûl behind her. Once she backed out of the circle, she ran the sword across the grass, creating a wall between her.
"Bûrzam!" she called to the horse that, for the past few weeks, she had been calling Nightfall. She mounted the black horse, noticing the two men galloping towards her. She then turned and locked eyes with Uvatha one last time. He was the only Nazgûl that had not run completely when faced with the fire, but Azruphel knew he was afraid. She gave a final nod to Uvatha, knowing that it would be for the last time. Then she turned her horse and ran, giving a final message from her mind to extinguish the flames.
A/N: Almost done!