"Fear is their weapon and they will use it to displace and weaken us." - Thranduil

One by one, each member of the company staggered back to the stone circle. "We could not find the horses and even Lagorphen is missing, Hir Aran nin," said Bregwen. Trembling, she pulled her cloak further around her.

"Then we must hope they have found their way back to the safety of the stables. We must now find Calenamath before we can do the same," replied Thranduil. He then explained what the Huscarl had told him.

Bregwen shook her head in confusion. "What is happening to us?"

"It is the black breath," said Thranduil. "Those of you who were at Dagorlad know of it and its effects." There was a murmur of agreement among some of the older Huscarls.

"What does he mean?" Thorwen asked Celephinniel. "I was not present at the battle. I was a maid of honour for my aunt, the Queen, who remained behind as regent. But I do know that the Dark Lord sent his servants out to taunt my uncle and his ally King Amdir of Lorinand. Then they broke ranks, forcing the frontline to follow suit including, Lasseth. You know the rest."

"But in the libraries of Imladris, the tomes say King Oropher and King Amdir charged first because they did not wish to be under the command of the High King Gil-galad."

"Better the Noldor think that, than find out my father came under the influence of the Black Breath. I would not have him so shamed!" replied Thranduil.

"I thought Elves could tell no lies," said Thorwen.

"I did not lie. Neither did I correct the Noldor's narrative. However, now is not the time to concern ourselves with the past. Calenamath needs us."

He strode ahead of the company. Thorwen could tell that he firmly fixed his mind on finding his brother. As the company followed, she looked above the treeline. The bare branches looked like a mass of little black spiders against the dull grey skies. A shiver went through her as she remembered those creatures above the stone circle. It concerned her how, rather than being repelled from the realm, they had instead landed in the forest. The air seemed fresher again, but had they done enough to protect the forest? A light touch on her shoulder caught Thorwen's attention. Bregwen now walked beside her, smiling sheepishly.

"Thorwen, I seek your pardon. This morning...... something came over me. I did not treat you with the honour and respect you deserve."

Thorwen clutched Bregwen's icy hand. "There is nothing to forgive. You are my friend, the only one I would have to lead my queen's guard."

Bregwen sniffed, then chuckled. "I shall hold you to that Dilthen Dunadan."

They walked for most of the day with little rest or nourishment. Thranduil kept a purposeful pace, almost as if he had caught wind of the fell creature's awful stench. The day was growing old, and dusk was fast approaching. The king paused, looking left to right. He raised a hand, placing the other on the hilt of his sword. The temperature plummeted, and the company realised a dense, icy fog surrounded them. And their breath was now visible. "They are here," Thranduil breathed.

He turned towards the company. "We are about to engage a morgul foe. Keep your wits about you. Fear is their weapon, and they will use it to displace and weaken us. Our objective is to seek out Calenamath, extract him and leave. Do not engage the enemy unless you have no other choice. Remember, we are Elves. We can use the strength of our minds to block them out. Thorwen, with me."

Thorwen complied, and they slowly walked ahead of the company. They did not speak, but she could feel his unease. As they neared a clearing, the fog suddenly dissipated to the outskirts as if under command to reveal the two slimy black-winged creatures whose piercing screeches sent shudders through the entire company.

"Hold your position! Whatever happens, do not give way!" Commanded Thranduil.

From behind the creatures, two figures clad in black strolled towards the company. They stopped a few feet away. The entire company, including Thorwen, drew their weapons in response.

One of the faceless black riders now spoke in a rasping hiss. "Greetings Elven King. I am Khamûl, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur. We come in peace and on behalf of the Great Master. Who would seek to treat with you."

Thranduil snarled at them through gritted teeth. "The Dark Lord has nothing we desire! Begone from this realm! You are not welcome here!"

The two Nazgul laughed maliciously and Khamûl turned towards the other Nazgul. "Bring the prisoner," he commanded.

There was an uneasy silence as the Nazgul went behind the creatures. He returned, dragging his prisoner. An Elf, bound, blindfolded, and trembling. It was Calenamath. He did not appear aware of what was happening, but mumbled incoherently. A shiver went through Thorwen and the company gasped at the prince's pitiful state. Thranduil remained stoic.

"This prisoner sabotaged the Temple Enclave. The Great Master would have him conveyed to the Houses of Lamentation for...... special treatment. But even the Great Master can be merciful. We have his consent to ransom him back to you for a fair price!" hissed Khamûl.

Thorwen glanced at the scars under her long sleeves. "How do they know it was Calenamath? I never gave Nuta his name," she whispered.

"They have used the black breath on him," replied Thranduil. He stepped towards Khamûl, nostrils flared. "Name your price?"

Khamûl's icy laughter echoed around the clearing. As expected, he pointed at Thorwen. "The Lady is the Great Master's price. The Great Master is impatient to make her his queen."

"The Lady you speak of is my betrothed," Thranduil replied. "And we have sworn to wed each other when she is of age, according to the laws of her people."

"But the lady is not as she seems. She is only cloaked in a mortal guise. In truth, she is of the Great Master's kin and his claim is far stronger than yours! Hand over the silver-eyed maiden to us and we will set your brother free! If not, he shall receive The Great Master's........ personal attention. I will give you time to consider." Khamûl turned and approached Calenamath. He unsheathed his sword and lifted the Prince's chin with the end, slightly cutting his skin. "Perhaps we shall just take his head instead. There are many empty spikes at Barad-Dur."

At this moment, Calenamath stopped mumbling, calling out in a moment of clarity. "Thranduil! Kill....me!"

Thranduil gulped, then was silent for a few moments. "Bring me a bow," he said reluctantly.

"Baw Hir Aran Nin. I shall not let you slay your kin! Even if it is a mercy!" cried Bregwen. She immediately drew her bow, aiming her arrow at Calenamath's heart. "If it must be done, I shall do it!" Her eyes welled with tears. "You shall not suffer, Mellon Nin," she whispered.

Thorwen could stand it no longer. She stood before Bregwen, who immediately dropped her aim. "There is no need for this. I can set him free."

"Thorwen, stand aside! You have already exhausted much of your Will today. If you are spent trying to save him, you may well fall into their hands," said Thranduil.

Thorwen looked deep into his bright blue eyes. "Calenamath's doom. If it comes to be, is not this day!" The last shreds of light were fading in the forest, and the company now lit their red torches. Thorwen sheathed her blades and unbuckled her belt before handing them to Thranduil.

"What are you doing?"

"Trust me," she replied and kissed him softly on the lips. As they kissed, she informed him of her plan. His expression was a mixture of fear and hope. But she knew he had faith in her.

Khamûl sheathed his sword and approached Thranduil again. "I have given you enough time to consider Elven King. It is a simple choice, your brother or your betrothed!"

Thorwen boldly stepped between them. "Khamûl. This is no way to address the future queen of the Great Master. If you wished me to come with you, why did you not ask me politely?"

Khamûl cocked his head to one side. "You mean to tell me you will come..... willingly."

Thorwen held out her cloak with her hands. "I have no weapons about me, Lieutenant. If the Great Master has gone to all this trouble to have me come to him. Then his love for me must be stronger than that of a mere Elven King." She glanced back to see Thranduil raise an eyebrow before turning back to face the Nazgul. She eyed Calenamath with a look of disdain. "Release this pitiful Elf, and I will hop upon your creature immediately."

The Nazgul looked at each other, conversing in a speech that made Thorwen's blood run cold. Khamûl turned back to Thorwen, and another vicious chuckle escaped the space where his head should have been. "You think the Great Master a fool, My Lady. He knows you better than you know yourself." He produced a flask from his cloak. "Drink this, if you would come willingly. Drink and we shall release the prisoner. Then we will take you to the Great Master."

As Thorwen suspected, Sauron did not trust the Nazgul to take her without subduing her first. With a slight smirk, she took the flask, opened the lid and took a sniff. "It smells a little sweet for something that has come from the Great Master." The words were bitter on her tongue as she spoke.

"There are many pleasures to be found in the Great Master's fair palace, my lady. Now drink your fill."

"Release the Prince first, then I will drink. You have my word."

"And what of the Elves?" replied Khamûl.

"They shall not interfere."

Khamûl glanced at his prisoner. Ushering Thorwen towards him with his sword.

"Come get him yourself, my lady,"

As she had suspected, they did not trust her words. She would need to be quick if she was to succeed in her plan. Slowly she walked towards Calenamath, crouched beside him and whispered something in his ear. He nodded slightly, and she hoped there was enough of him to understand.

"What did you say?" demanded Khamûl.

"Only that I am here to help him," replied Thorwen. She helped Calenamath to his feet and began to lead him towards the company. But Khamûl pointed his sword at her throat.

"You shall go no further. Let him walk alone."

"He is still blind and bound. At least let me untie his bonds."

"He can find his own way back. Drink my lady."

"I will drink when he is free and not before," replied Thorwen firmly.

She watched helplessly as Calenamath stumbled away. As he neared the company, Celephinniel tore herself away and flung her arms around him before leading him back to the company.

The two Nazgul now closed in on Thorwen, their swords drawn. "He is free now, my lady. No more games, Drink!" hissed Khamûl.

Suddenly the ground trembled, knocking the flask out of Thorwen's hand. The fell creatures screeched and howled, then tried to break their tethers, causing Khamûl and his fellow Nazgul to settle them again. But when they were done, Thorwen was no longer before them. Instead was a tall young woman with bright silver hair that reached the ground. An inner light illuminated her skin. And her silver eyes were aflame. No longer cloaked, she wore a dress of bright silver.

She shone like a beacon of hope in the gloom of the forest. The fog which had surrounded the clearing disappeared as if frightened away by the sight of her. The two creatures became even more unsettled, pulling even harder at their tethers to get away.

"I think your rides have the right idea! I am Almarie the Blessed and this realm is under my protection! You have no business here! Be gone from this place and tell your master I decline his proposal, just as I did in the fields of Almaren. BE GONE WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!"

The Nazgul hissed at her, but retreated and mounted their creatures. Almarie slowly followed them, causing the fell creatures to become even more agitated. The Nazgul released the tethers, but could barely control the terrified creatures as they took flight. Their ghastly screams continued to be heard long after they had fled the clearing. Even in the darkness of the evening.

Almarie looked at the sky with a feeling of satisfaction. She noticed the brightness of the stars against the inky blue sky. She looked towards the company of Elves. All except Thranduil, who was walking towards her, were kneeling, their heads bowed in reverence. As he approached, Thranduil's face was a picture of wonder. He cupped his hands gently around her luminous face. "Ah Almarie, Melleth nin, at last, they see you as I do."

As he brought his lips to hers, Thorwen felt the light of her Will rescinding into herself. The last of her power spent and her work done, she collapsed into his arms and into a deep slumber.