I started this a year and a half ago, went away for six weeks during the summer and never really had time to get back into it. Now I'm editing it and posting it as I get through it and then I am going to write some more chapters. (woohoo!) I hope you enjoy… feedback and constructive criticism are always welcome!
Disclaimer: Tolkien characters and places (namely Harad and Gondor) are not my own. All original characters, plots, places, as well as the details of Harad ARE my own. (the majority of this work) Please respect this.
They had been feasting and drinking in celebration of Lord Eldarion's crowning as High King over Gondor and Arnor. Of course there was sadness at the passing of King Elessar but he had ruled a long and glorious reign and it was time. All over Middle-earth, Men and Elves were feasting all night long to the glory of the house of Telcontar. In Ithilien, it was no different-if anything, the music was livelier and the ale was stronger.
Long past midnight, the fires died down, the music faded into the night and the people finally retired to their beds, drained from their lively jigs and continuous pints. However the night was to end as happily as it had begun.
The night guards had not exempted themselves from excess drink; they slouched forward in sleep or stupor at their posts. Dark still cloaked the land when figures crept out of the trees surrounding the settlement. The guards never had a chance to sound the alarm before arrows pierced their chests. A late-sleeper (or perhaps early-riser) saw the glimpse of ref and managed to shout before an arrow found its home in his own breast.
Some in the village who were not overcome by ale struggled awake, thwarting the invaders' attempt at a quick raid. In one house near the far end of the village, the mother roused at the shout and hearing other cries hurried to save her family.
"Wake up, children, wake up!" she cried, shaking their warm bodies. In minutes, her five offspring were up and about, dressed as quickly as possible. "Run, my children," she urged. "Head into the trees and try to find a hiding spot. Stay together, and no matter what happens, don't come back until the noon sun rises!"
The five left silently through the back door, kissing their mother goodbye. Ducking into the trees beyond their house, they fled.
"Come on!" cried the eldest-a boy of nearly twelve. He went on ahead, faster than the others.
"You know they can't keep up, Jonra!" cried his ten-year old sister.
"Well, then, carry them!" Jonra picked up his little brother of seven and hurried along. His sister, Asriel, scooped up their smallest sister-who was only five and could not run along as fast as they could.
With the youngest in hand, they could travel faster, deeper into the forest. The middle child- another girl of almost nine-hurried behind them, skipping every third step to keep up.
A shout sounded behind them in a harsh voice. "Some young ones ran this way! Find them Grazal!"
"Yes, Captain!" replied another voice, assumed to be Grazal. The sound of trampling bush grew closer, warning of the soldier's imminent arrival.
Jonra panicked. "Quick, Asriel!" he hissed. "Climb the tree!"
Nodding and dropping her youngest sister, Asriel scrambled up a tree, her brother boosting her to a low branch. "Pass me them", she ordered, referring to her younger siblings.
Jonra swiftly passed his siblings to her and they started climbing further up the tree. The sound of their hunter grew nearer and tears sprang to Asriel's eyes. "Jonra! You have to climb! Mother said to stay together!" She could sense her brother's wish to stay and defend his family. "You can't do us any good if you're dead Jonra," she added pleadingly.
Resigned, Jonra boosted himself up onto the lowest branch and then further up into the tree where Asriel was waiting. Just then two things happened. Grazal walked into the clearing where Jonra had just stood; and the youngest girl let out a yelp as she lost her footing springing to a higher branch and fell from the tree.
Asriel stifled a cry as Jonra flung his hand over her mouth. She whimpered softly, watching the dark figure crouch over their sister. She could see her twitch and moan softly. "She's alive," Jonra spoke for the both of them, relieving their worst fears. But then the man lifted her up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of tubers. Fear again entered their stomachs, chilling them to the very marrow of their bones.
"He's going to take her!" Asriel cried and broke out of her brother's grip. She slid down the trunk, landing awkwardly on the ground. If only she had realized beforehand that by trying to save one of them, she had betrayed them all.
Apparently, Grazal had signaled his friends without them noticing and within moments Asriel was held tight and arrows were being aimed at the others in the tree. "I know there are more of you," he said gruffly. "Come down, or we will fire 'til we are sure there are none left."
Asriel squirmed but she could not get free and she could not try to tell Jonra to stay up there.
One man fired an arrow that went wild. No one moved. He fired again. This time the arrow found its resting spot in Jonra's shoulder. He screamed silently but knew that he had no choice but to climb back down with his younger brother and sister. Otherwise, they were certain to die one by one.
"This is all of us," he said simply, trying to summon courage into his voice. "Do with us as you will."
"Oh don't worry," laughed another, "we will. Bind them!"
Jonra and Asriel were tied around their hands and their feet were tied at the ankles as well. The younger ones were all bound and slung over the shoulders of the other men. The eldest two were pulled mercilessly along, through twists and turns in the trees, stumbling over roots and stones on the way.
They traveled for hours it seemed, until they were sleeping on their feet. "They can't go any faster, Captain," commented a new voice.
The captain had apparently rejoined them, and he answered. "We will be at the River Poros soon. Across is waiting reinforcements and the rest of the journey will be smooth."
"Yes, Captain", the others answered and Amriel and Jonra were forced on still longer. At the river they were forced to wade across the ford. It was the shallowest it would ever be, but they were drenched to their ribs by the time they made it across. Then, they were helped onto the same horse and slouching onto each other, fell into an uneasy sleep as they were ushered farther from home.
Through days and nights they rode accompanied by these strange, deeply tanned men, who they learned were the Haradrim of the South. The weather grew hotter as they traveled, apparently unfollowed. Their hopes of being rescued evaporated as the heat pounded on their backs; by the time the Captain announced, "Welcome to Harad, my soft Gondorlings," they cared only of having their bonds removed and their bodies allowed to rest. Nearly a week and a half after their capture, all the prisoners were given a day to sleep and regain strength. Besides Asriel, Jonra and their siblings, there were a score of other children and teens from their village.
But this story is not about them.
As the sun peeked over the horizon the next day and they were again helped onto fresh horses, Jonra felt a pit settle in his stomach. For it was only then that he realized that the Captain had ridden off during the night, taking a few of the prisoners with him. Gone were the twin boys he went squirrel hunting with. Gone was the fire-haired young woman who was betrothed to his cousin. Gone was the boy who refused to let anyone else play marbles with him. And gone was his youngest sister, her brown tendrils of hair and bright eyes, heading miles off to the south, while the remainder of the caravan turned towards the west and the sea. Jonra could see no other option than to conclude that his darling sister was lost forever….