It takes us the better part of two days to arrive. Although I'm quite used to riding, the fast pace we keep up consistently day and night wears me down, and by the time we actually arrive I am ready to collapse from emotional and physical exhaustion.

I climb wearily from my mount's saddle, stretching my legs to try to bring some feeling back to them. I succeed in this only marginally- I still feel stiff and uncomfortable from sitting in a saddle for two days.

A bitter taste fills the back of my throat; raw fear. This is exactly what the Witch King wanted me to do. I was following his instructions blindly, try as I might not to.

I want to break down and cry, but that's not an option at the moment. Maybe if I play everything just right I'll be able to save everyone.

"But you can save everyone. You know what you have to do." A voice in the back of my mind whispers.

"No." I say firmly.

"No, what?" Legolas questions, and Seron looks at me questioningly.

I had spoken aloud without meaning to.

"Ah, nothing. Just thinking aloud." I respond, attempting to seem nonchalant about it. "Let's go then shall we?"

I walk on past them to the imposing front gates.

"I'm a fool," I chastise myself in my head, "yet I do nothing to change our course. So I am doubly a fool."

My mood darkens as we get closer to the crumbling remains of a castle. Everything seems to be collapsing with the moving of time with the exception of the most inner portion of the castle. It stands strong- almost in defiance to the crumbling ruins around it.

Tall, ancient remains of the outer wall prove impossible for the horses to pass, and we are forced to leave them behind. Legolas, Seron and I leap nimbly over the wall, creeping on silent feet to the castle, although the Witch King already knows we're here for sure. There's really no point.

Having no better plan and no time left before the Witch King's dead line, I walk right up and knock on the front door. Mere seconds later, it swings open, seemingly of its own accord.

I take a deep breathe and step inside, even though all of my survival instincts are screaming for me to flee.

I have to do this, for Dad, for Legolas, and for everyone that's already died by the blade of the Witch King.

***
I would just like to say I am very sorry, but Wattpad deleted this chapter TWICE after it had been finished! I actually thought it was up the second time it happened and came back to check and found it hadn't. Very frustrating.

I had to completely rewrite it again, so my sincerest apologies for the wait.

-El