His Corrupted Mind [Witch-King x OC]

Chapter XIII : Midnight Truths

"Midnight, strange mystic hour, when the veil between the frail present and the eternal future grows thin." -Harriet Beecher Stowe

It was now the night of the day after the Council of Elrond, and in the darkening hours Inconnu found herself restless. Sleep eluded her this night and she could not figure as to why that was. The Fellowship of the Ring would leave in the early hours of the dawn and Inconnu would be leaving with them. She wanted rest, but something kept nagging at her from the very corners of her consciousness. The only thing Inconnu did know was that she had to go somewhere, a specific place, but she knew not where she had to be.

Inconnu now closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, held it in for a few moments, and then released it. After several centuries of dealing with wanderlust, one might think that Inconnu was quite used to being led around by a force greater than her own will.

In all truth she was familiar with it, however that did not mean she had to enjoy it most days. Opening her eyes again, Inconnu gave in to the feeling and followed where it wanted to lead her.

The path she took led her to the outskirts of Rivendell, then through the outlying forests. Inconnu narrowed her gaze slightly, a strong sense of déjà vu filling her subconscious. I rode through here once, though I barely remember.

She continued to walk along a path nearly overgrown due to its disuse, and the stars could barely be seen through the thick cover of leaves. The moon itself was also hidden but tonight it was full, the strength of its light filtered through the leaves making spots of moonlight along the path. Inconnu used it as a guide to keep to her newfound trail and noticed how the light and shadows played with each other.

Soon the sound of gurgling water reached her ears, and by her estimate she was close to the font of the River Bruinen. Inconnu picked up her pace, becoming eager to see what would await her at the place where the Loudwater sprung forth from the earth.

Even with her quickened stride it took her some time to reach the intended destination of her wanderlust, and when she did finally break through the trees, what she saw stunned her.

She was at the very edges of a clearing, and though it wasn't very large due to the pile of massive rocks it made quite the impression. From several openings in the rocks themselves flowed a sheer waterfall over the rocks, cascading down them until they pooled into a stream that, when followed, would become the River Bruinen.

The moon's light filled the area, lighting up everything it touched and giving the water a soft white glow. This was a beautiful place filled with the same calm as Imladris, though stronger, and Inconnu couldn't help but relax her guard to take it all in. This was the most relaxed she had been in centuries.

But it was a mistake to let her guard down so much when a long blade made to rest at the side of her neck. Then a familiar voice, deep in tone with hints of resonant hollowness, spoke from behind her.

"Baj anausan movemnav agh lat mat." Make any movement and you die.

Inconnu complied, remaining very still but she would not be silenced, lightly snapping at him. "Do not speak your master's tongue here Er-Murazor!" She heard the metal of his gauntlet clench his sword, but continued nonetheless. "We stand in a place of peace, a clearing that has remained undisturbed for millennia it seems. I will not have this font of life violated by your master's ways."

Silence. Cold, unfeeling silence enveloped the two of them as the Witch-King kept his blade at her neck. Inconnu's hand itched to draw her own weapon, but she didn't. The same feeling that told her to shout his name during the chase and to caress his jaw only a few days before told her not to.