Chapter 4
Ziya motioned for them to stop as the day drew to a close. Their prey was resting in Weathertop. Quietly the Ringwraiths dismounted and walked forwards. Ziya led them as a campfire was lit. After a few moments they heard a shout.
"What are you doing?! Put it out!" The Ringwraiths screeched and they all charged forwards, climbing Weathertop quickly. They reached the top and Ziya scanned the area. No sign of Strider. This would be simple. They all advanced towards the Hobbits. They all held swords but one of them also held a frying pan. They yelled and ran at them. The one with the frying pan ran straight for Ziya. She knocked the pan from his hand and produced her sword, he raised his sword to block a swing and she heard a scream. The Witch-king had stabbed the Hobbit with the ring. Ziya turned and caught light at the edge of her vision. The Ringwraiths began to back up, Ziya moving with them. Strider ran towards them and began to burn the robes of the ones who got to close.
Ziya slipped past him as she saw the Hobbit on the ground. "Baggins." Her voice sounded like a Ringwraiths did when they spoke to any but each other or her. He whimpered and Ziya threw her head back when she felt a dagger shoved into her left hip. She let out an unearthly scream that could be heard all the way to Rivendell. Shrieking and growling was coming from her lips as she began to back away. She ripped the dagger free and held the wound. She noted the blood that dripped from the blade. The one who had stabbed her had wide eyes.
"Black riders don't bleed." He said. "Black riders don't bleed!" He was starting to freak out. Ziya turned in time to catch a torch that had been thrown at her. It was just enough to illuminate her face.
"Ziya." She threw the torch back at Strider and stumbled a bit as she tried to run, her hood falling back. She heard a Hobbit gasp and then she vanished down the stairs. Halfway down she fell and bit her lip to prevent herself from screaming in pain. Arms were around her in seconds and then she was being carried down the stairs. She curled into the Witch-kings arms as he ran with the others to the horses. Ziya was unconscious by the time they reached their camp.
Remnant pulled a skin sack from the saddlebag on her horse and found what was needed to stitch her wound. During his time as a mortal he had been a great caretaker. All of that changing once he gained the ring from Sauron. She let out an ear piercing scream as the needle dug into her skin and then she bit down on her lip. Once Remnant was done he managed to get a bandage to cover it.
Her cloak was rested over her as she lay on the ground, shivering from the pain. She pulled the cloak tighter at one point and then finally just got up and pulled it on.
"You should rest Ziya." She shook her head and nearly fell forwards. The Witch-king caught her and helped her to her feet. She winced.
"I don't need rest. I need to hunt." She turned but the moment he let her go she helped her stand and looked at Remnant.
"Remnant. Take the others and see if you can catch something for Ziya. She needs to feed." He nodded and took off into the forest with the others. The Witch-king sat beside her and helped her sit up.
"How deep was the cut and how much blood did I lose?" She whispered.
"The cut was very deep and you lost quite a bit of blood from the long run." She nodded.
"I was afraid of that." She closed her eyes and leaned against him. He eyes snapped open and she sat up when Remnant and the others returned.
"Can she walk?" She stood and winced. She smelt blood. She limped forwards and occasionally used the trees for support. She fell once when she was near the wounded deer. She leapt forwards and sank her fangs into it's throat, drinking deeply as she felt bits of her strength return. After she was finished she sat up and cleaned the blood from her mouth. She stood and limped forwards again.
"Thank you." She smiled and walked back to the camp. The sun was beginning to rise. Her horse was clever and laid down, allowing her to get up onto his back easier. He stood once she was onto his back.
"Can you hold yourself enough to stay?" She nodded.
"Don't worry about me. Worry about getting the ring." They each climbed onto their horses and started off at a brisk walk. They kept behind the Hobbits but also managed to ensure a safe speed so that Ziya wouldn't fall off. After a couple days of riding like this and assisting Ziya in her hunting, they saw a white horse. That was when the group had split, four of the others flanking the small group. On it's back was a she-elf. Ziya sucked in a breath once she saw her and made sure to keep unseen. Later she saw Strider speaking with the she-elf. She took the Hobbit who had been stabbed and rode as fast as she could. The Ringwraiths all broke into a heavy run. Their horses protesting as they began but soon quieting and running.
Ziya winced once as she shifted wrong in the saddle but she remained quiet as the others joined them in the open ground. They chased the elf until she crossed the river. There she turned as the Ringwraiths stopped on the other side of the river.
"Hand over the Hobbit, she-elf." She drew a sword.
"If you want him, come and claim him." The riders walked forwards. The she-elf paid no mind to the horse who seemed void of any rider. In truth Ziya had her head down and her arm around her waist, wincing at the strain the galloping had put on her stitching. She did look up as she heard an enchantment. The river drew back and horses appeared in a wave of water that traveled down the stream. It barreled towards the Ringwraiths and Ziya tried to whisper a counter. But the water swept them away before she could finish. She sat up in the saddle and searched the water. She turned to the she-elf and walked her horse across the now calm river.
"Arwen Undomniel." Arwen looked at the Ringwraith and held her sword tighter. "You'll pay for that." She noticed how the riders word caught on it's words and changed to a recognizable voice.
"No. It cannot be." Ziya threw her hood back and glared at the elf.
"Oh but it is." Arwen lowered her sword.
"But you ran off. Everyone thought you had been killed by the Black Riders." She froze and then looked down the stream. Her gaze turned back to Ziya.
"Give me the Hobbit and I'll let you live." She backed her horse up and narrowed her eyes. She began to utter again and Ziya threw an enchantment at her to seal her lips. She managed to throw it back at her with twice it's original strength. Ziya felt the magic as it hit her and knocked her out. Her horse riding off as the river returned was the last thing she saw.
The Witch-king
He stood from the river and helped his brethren as well. He looked upstream, hoping that Ziya had managed to acquire the ring. He looked around, not seeing any of the horses. He groaned. Either they needed to steal some horses or they were walking all the way back to Mordor. Suddenly the current picked up again and the Ringwraiths all turned to see a sole figure thrown onto the beach. Ziya's form was seen under the cloak.
He ran over and moved the hood of the cloak. Her lips were blue and her face deathly pale. No heartbeat was heard. He used magic to push the water from her lungs and she coughed, her heart starting up again. She cleared her lungs of the excess water and then fell back onto her soaking wet cloak. She shivered as she reached up and unfastened it, breathing easier now that it wasn't pulling on her neck. The Witch-king lifted her up and Remnant grabbed her cloak. He wrung it out as much as he could and laid it over her.
"Thank you." Her voice was small and showed that she was in pain. They all walked on in silence, looking for any mode of transportation. They were forced to stop as Ziya began to cough violently. It was nearing dark and she was freezing. Though her forehead was warm. She groaned slightly and curled towards the fire they had made for her. She still shivered and once her cloak was dry she used it to warm her and her still wet clothing.
Every once in a while she would sneeze and then straighten out as it pulled at her stitches. After a while of that she felt tears prick at her eyes. Finally the sun rose and she was warmed by the light. They continued walking until they reached Isengard. Ziya shivered at the sight of the place. She curled closer to the Witch-king as they walked into the tower.
"Sarumon." The wizard looked at the Witch-king as he entered, noticing Ziya.
"What is this?" He walked over and touched her forehead. He pulled his hand away and led them to a room down the hall a ways.
"Ziya. She was found five years ago and then Sauron recruited her to the army." Sarumons face paled as he realized the importance of this girl. He quickly ran from the room and then returned with some kind of drink. He tilted her head back and she drank, coughing some of it up. She opened her eyes and grabbed at her throat. She winced as she took a deep breath. Then it hit the Witch-king. She hadn't fed for a couple of days. And even before it had been small.
"She's hungry. Send for an Orc who might be in trouble in some way or another." Sarumon was confused but nodded and sent word via a messenger. Soon and Orc in chains was brought forth. Ziya looked from him to the Witch-king. "Go." She dove forwards and bit down, savoring the sweetened blood and ignoring the foul tint it held. As she finished she shoved him to the ground and stood taller, her gaze flicking around the room and she turned back, still cleaning flecks of blood from her mouth. Sarumon looked about ready to faint as the Orcs body was removed from the room and disposed of. She nearly fell, her hand moving to her stitches. She noticed as the Witch-king moved to ensure she didn't fall.
"I'm alright." Her voice was cracked and dry. She winced and then looked to Sarumon. "Do you have any horses?" He nodded.
"Yes. Why?" She straightened out again and grabbed her cloak.
"Because we're going back to Mordor." She left and wandered down the many flights of stairs. She stopped outside of the stables where ten black horses were being saddled and prepared for their departure. She pulled herself onto one as the others arrived. They each grabbed one and began to ride for Mordor. They were there in less than two days. Each time they stopped they made sure it was near water so that the horses could rest properly and that Ziya didn't have to go far to hunt. The wound and the illness had left her very weak and vulnerable. Once they reached the gates all fears of a sudden attack where some lucky archer hit Ziya vanished.
They reached the tower and were immediately called to see Sauron. Ziya was able to walk now without any support but her leg still needed a lot of healing. She was the third through the door and Sauron turned to them.
"Do you have my ring?" Ziya stepped forth and shook her head.
"No. They take refuge in Rivendell." Sauron glared at her and she felt as if liquid fire was being poured down her throat. She ignored it as if it were her hunger burns. Sauron seemed annoyed at this and walked over, grabbing her throat.
"You will get me that ring. Understood?" She winced as his hand tightened and she nodded. He dropped her to the floor where she fell on her left side and bit down on her hand to keep from yelling in pain. She turned and saw a bit of fresh blood that seeped from the stitching. Sauron walked back to the other end of the room and Ziya stood, using the open door for support. She held the cut and looked to Sauron.
"As you wish my lord." She bowed and limped from the room, barely making it to her room before she collapsed onto the bed. She managed to moved the clothing so they didn't catch on the broken stitches. After a few moments she heard a knock on the door and covered herself with her blanket. "Come in."
The Witch-king opened the door and stepped in, closing it quickly behind him. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"I am in pain but otherwise I am perfectly fine." She winced as he moved the blanket and looked at the wound. He picked away the broken stitches and then turned to her. He picked her up and sat on the bed with her in his lap. She smiled and curled against him, her pain forgotten as his lips met hers. She felt the need to bite into something again. To drain it of it's life essence because of the pain growing in her throat. He seemed to sense this and stood, carefully setting her down and grabbing the goblet and pitcher of blood from her table. She smiled and he held out the goblet. She took the pitcher and drank slowly but deeply. After that was gone she took the goblet.
"Sorry. My throat hurts." She downed the goblet and then set it aside. She rubbed her throat. And then she was lifted up and placed in the Witch-kings lap once more. His lips found hers and she unfastened the cloak, throwing it aside and then pulling herself as close to him as possible. That evening she forgot her pain and her sorrows. She simply found bliss as she lay there beside her lover.
A/N: Hey! If anyone would be so kind. I'm looking for someone who could create a picture of Ziya. Possibly with the Witch-king but just Ziya would work. If you'd like to help me out then please message me! And thanks for all the follows! :D ~ Kitteh 01