Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.
In the woods there was a small Elven village. It was a nice quiet village and everyone knew each other. The elves there didn't need much. The land provided food and medicine for them. They didn't have much use for coin they mainly relied on trade with each other and their contact with people outside the village was no existent. They were sure that nobody knew about their home, until they came.
As Orcs flooded the village the elves ran and screamed in terror. The guards did their best to protect to their families but they were cut down one by one. Without the defences the elves tried to flee as far away from the village as they could. Women grabbed their children and men stayed to fight even if they didn't know how.
Lindir was just twelve years old when his mother scooped him up in her arms and began to run from their home. He remembered his mother covering his eyes so he couldn't see the bodies of the fallen but he could still hear screaming and smell burning.
His mother made it out of the village and into the woods. She was being chased by three orcs who shot her with an arrow. The arrow pierced her leg and caused her to shriek but despite her injury she kept going.
Thankfully she was much faster than orcs and she knew these woods like the back of her hand. She found a small place to hide temporarily.
"Ma?" Lindir said scared
"Shhh Lindir" she told him. She assessed her injured leg and knew she was going to die. The arrow was poisoned, there was no way to heal it. She wanted to weep but not in front of her son she couldn't upset him further. She had to make the most of the time she had left.
"Lindir listen to me" she said. As her son looked at her with big teary eyes she told him "You must be brave for mommy right now, can you do that?"
Lindir nodded.
"Good boy. Lindir I want you to run and never come back"
"What! Why? I want to stay with you"
She could feel her heart break "Lindir you need to leave. I need you to run and don't look back"
"Why?"
"It's too dangerous to stay, you must go"
"Aren't you coming with me?"
"I wish I could but I fear my time is short. Lindir you need to leave so you can live. You must run"
"No!" Lindir protested and hugged his mother
She knew she wouldn't last must longer so she hugged and kissed him one last time and told him "Leave Lindir and don't come back, don't look back and don't stop running" she prised her son away from her and pointed in the direction she wanted to him run "Go Lindir"
"But ma..." he whimpered
"GO!" she said forcefully "Go, don't come back and never forget I love you baby"
With tears streaming down his face Lindir obeyed his mother. He let her go and started to walk away.
"Run Lindir!" she said one last time and he ran. The last thing she saw was Lindir running from her and she prayed for his safety.
Lindir did as his mother had told him. He ran and he didn't look back. He ran until it was dark, he found a hollow log to take shelter in. He was confused, alone and scared. How did orcs find their village? How many people have survived? Was he the last? So many questions ran through his mind and there was no one to answer them.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Lindir continued to run away as he was told. He knew how to survive off the land. He knew what was harmful, what was food and what plants would heal him. And most nights he still cried himself to sleep.
He survived in the forest for almost a year when he finally collapsed from exhaustion. Winter had set in and even though elves don't feel the cold like humans do but prolonged exposure to it can cause exhaustion in children.
Lindir didn't know how long he was passed out in the cold and the men who found him didn't know how long he had been there either.
He remembered the day he was found by a group of men. Thieves. At first they thought he was dead but when they saw he was breathing they took him to their hideout. They wondered what a Elven child was doing all alone.
He was asleep for four days and when he woke up he awoke to a human staring him the face. He jumped up and then feel over from dizziness.
"Easy lad" the human said
Lindir looked the human in confusion. He was an elderly man, with grey hair, a short beard and had an eye patch over his left eye.
"What's yer name?" he asked
Lindir remember his father telling him to never talk to strangers so he kept quiet.
"Not much of a talker ah?" the man smirked. He poured out a mug of something hot and put it near Lindir "Here this will warm ye up"
Lindir made no move towards the cup he kept a careful eye on the man.
"It's not poisoned lad, I'm not the type to hurt children" the man said
Lindir carefully moved towards the cup, he picked it up and sniffed it. He wasn't sure what it was but it smelt bitter. He sipped it and choked it tasted like a bitter root Lindir accidentally ate once.
"I did that my first I tasted it too, but it helps against the cold"
Lindir continued to sip at the drink until the man spoke again "So ye ready to tell me ye name?"
"Lindir" he spoke without thinking
"Lindir? Sounds alright. People call me Furrex"
Lindir had never heard a name like that before "What does it mean?"
"It means king thief" he replied "What does Lindir mean?"
"Song bird"
The man nodded his head and said "That's nice. So tell me why are you alone in the woods?"
Lindir wasn't sure he if should tell this man what had happened but he told him what he knew while keeping some details to himself "Orcs attacked my village. My mother ran away with me but then she told me to leave and never come back"
The man's face looked grim "What happened to ye mam?"
"She was hit with an orc arrow in the leg"
The man knew she was dead. Orcs liked to use poison on their arrows. The reason she had told her son to leave was to keep him safe no doubt "I know how you feel. Orcs killed my wife many years ago" he sympathised.
After a few minutes of awkward silence Lindir asked "Where are we?"
"We're in an underground hideout. It's the best place to hide from the cold"
"Who are you and why are you here?" Lindir asked
"I was a blacksmith until I got injured and could no longer work there. Without a job I had no money and without money I couldn't live"
"How did you live?"
"I became a thief"
"But stealing is wrong" Lindir told him
The man laughed slightly at the child's innocence "I know. But sometimes you have no other choice. I got caught many time and was imprisoned times until the town kicked me out for good" he was glad that Lindir was listening with interest "I travelled far and wide stealing where ever I went until one day something special happened"
"Something special?" Lindir's eyes lit up
"I caught sight of a group that looked nobles travelling on the roads and made plans to rob them. I followed them until they made camp and I used the cover of night to take their gold and jewellery and when morning came I was gone"
Lindir knew that you shouldn't steal but the man's story was very interesting "Then what happened?"
"Well I thought I gotten away with until I was shot with a dart that was laced with a sleeping drug. I slept for a few hours and when I awoke I was tied to a tree surrounded by the men who I'd robbed"
Lindir was shaking in his seat with anticipation.
"It turned out that the people I'd robbed weren't noble they were thieves like myself. They had dressed up in fancy clothing to sneak into a party and rob the host blind and they succeeded. The night I robbed them was the night they left the party, they didn't even have chance to count the coins" he laughed
"Did they hurt you?"
"No, but I thought they were going to. When they I saw I was awake one of them approached me and he said 'Do you know who I am?' and took one look at him and I said yes"
"Who was he?" Lindir asked
"His name was Furari Deus that means stealing king. He was the king of thieves. When I answered him he smiled and said 'You just robbed me' It was then that I realised I had robbed him, without knowing I had robbed the king of thieves. He bent down and drew his knife, I thought he was going to kill me. But instead he cut the ropes and said 'Welcome to the family"
"What did he mean?"
"Well all kings have subjects and the king of thieves had many. The people that were with him were his subjects. He led them, told them what to do, taught them the tricks of the trade and he call them his family. He welcomed me into his family because I impressed him"
Lindir was impressed by Furrex's story and wanted to know more "What happened after he took you in?"
"He taught me everything I know. I followed him, where ever he went I went. For thirty six years we travelled and we stole" The man's face seemed to fall, his smile disappeared and his eyes looked heavy.
Lindir noticed the man's expression and asked "What's wrong?"
"They were the good old days lad and well nothing ever lasts"
Lindir scrunched his eye brows in confusion "What happened?"
"The thing about humans is we grow old and die. And slowly it happened to Furari Deus. We noticed he couldn't run as fast or as far as he used to. His eye sight and his memory started to get worse. Then his left hand started to shake constantly and he had to stop thieving. When he stopped he named me the new king and let me lead the family. Two years later he died"
Lindir wiped tears from his eyes and sniffled.
"Don't cry lad. It was a long time ago"
"How long?"
"Almost twelve years now"
"I'm twelve years old" Lindir said
The man laughed slightly and said "What are the odds"
"Um, where are your people?" Lindir asked
"There out hunting at the moment. They should be back soon" he replied "So, do you have some where to go?" he asked
Lindir looked at the floor and said "No"
Furrex had seen this situation too many times in his life, it how most people ended up as thieves. Homeless, hungry and with nowhere else to go most were forced into this life. And now it looked like Furrex had a new member of the family to welcome "Don't worry lad ye welcome to stay here, if you want?"
Lindir looked at him in surprise and replied "But I'm not a thief"
"No ye not but you could be"
"I don't want to steal" Lindir protested
"Then how will you survive?" Furrex smirked
"I'll eat plants" Lindir huffed
Furrex would have laughed but he had to be serious right now "I guess you could but sooner or later you'll run into danger. The woods are packed with wild animals and orcs"
Lindir stiffened when Furrex mentioned orcs. He didn't want to see another orc for as long as he lived and that was saying something.
"Listen lad, you need to know how to survive and there is safety in numbers. If ye got nowhere else to go and no one to look after ye then ye not going to last much longer. Why don't ye stay with my family? We could show you a thing or two?"
"I don't know" *yawn*When Lindir yawned Furrex told him to get some rest. He nodded and snuggled down into a blanket and said "Night"
"Night lad" Furrex replied
An hour later Furrex's men returned. They had caught a few rabbits for dinner. Furrex told them about Lindir and his offer to let him stay with them. At first they were sceptical until one of them said how elves could walk around unnoticed. Eventually they agreed that having an elf for a thief would be a good idea.
A few hours later Lindir woke up when he heard talking and laughing. He sat up and saw more men.
"Have a nice nap lad?" Furrex asked
Lindir nodded and cautiously looked at the other men.
Furrex explained to Lindir that everyone was prepared to welcome him to the family if that's what he wanted. He said Lindir would have food and warmth. And when the time came he would be taught the tricks of the trade.
Lindir was hesitant at first but in the end he had to accept. The first thing Lindir learned was no one ever used their real name they all hand nicknames and they needed to pick on out for him. In the end they chose 'The kid' because, well he was just a kid. From then on he was mostly called the kid or lad. Also Lindir made an agreement to keep his elf nature a secret.
Four years went by quickly and Lindir was deemed ready by Furrex to go on his first robbery. Lindir set out with Furrex and Dextera Tua (Right hand) to help them rob a corrupt business man. His prices were outrageous and he robbed people blind. Dextera Tua said that they were teaching him a lesson in fair pricing.
The three of them were dressed in black cloaks with hoods and masks. They travelled to the man's shop at night when it was closed. And began their plan. Furrex pried open then window and Dextera Tua help Lindir through it.
Lindir's job was simple make his way through the shop unseen and open the door. He tip toed through the shop trying to be as quiet as possible and used the skills he had been taught. He found the key and unlocked the door.
"Good job lad" Furrex said. They took everything of value and made off into the night.
Back at their hideout everyone praised Lindir for a job well done and counted the coin. Lindir didn't feel right stealing but Furrex did have a point when it came to the shop owner. And Lindir felt that he did deserve it but he shouldn't feel like this, his parents had taught him better.
Two years later and Lindir was doing his first solo steal. His target was a wondering trades man who made poor crafted materials and sole them to venerable people. He had followed the man until night and waited for him to fall asleep.
Lindir snuck up to the cargo and only took the things of value that he could carry. Before he left he carefully removed a pouch from the sleeping mans belt and then fled. He was praised by the others for his stealth and cunning. Lindir felt proud that he had pulled off something by himself.
Six years later Lindir was running from two guards that and seen him pick pocketing. Thankfully his identity was safe thanks to his mask. He used his speed to out run the men and used his stealth to hide, he easily slipped away.
Ten years later the family of thieves found a new hideout. It was the same every few years they would pack up and find a new hideout so they wouldn't be caught. Furrex was telling Lindir about the towns they would be going to and their plans for the future. When it was time to rest Lindir helped Furrex up and brought him to the hideout.
By this time Lindir had become a professional thief and was proud that he had never been caught.
A month later Furrex gathered his men to make an announcement. Once they were all gathered he started his speech "Thank you all for coming I know some of you had plans tonight but this is important. I think it's time I face the fact that I'm getting old" there were a few disagreements but Furrex continued "It's time I was out of the game and appoint a new king. Dextera Tua will carry on in my place" they were claps of congratulations and just like that Furrex was no longer the king.
A year later and Furrex's health declined further. Another year went by and he became bed ridden. Lindir stayed by Furrex's side more often. He helped Furrex with daily tasks and kept him entertained with conversations and songs.
"You're a good lad Lindir" Furrex said
"And you need to sleep" Lindir replied
"Ba humbug" Furrex said grumpily
Lindir rolled his eyes at his actions and gave him some medicine "Here drink this. I add some sugar this time so it doesn't taste as bitter"
"Thanks lad" Furrex said and took the cup
The medicine helped with his arthritis and helped him sleep better. When he finished Lindir took to cup and covered Furrex up.
"Lindir I have something I need tell you" he said softly
Lindir was a little surprised but he listened "What is it?"
"I never told anyone this and I think it's time someone knew. When my wife was killed she was pregnant with my son" he said with a tears in his eyes.
Lindir felt his stomach drop "Why would you tell me now?" he asked
"I'm on my death bed and I just wanted someone to know that there should have been a Furrex junior running around" he smiled
"I think he would have been just as cheeky as you when we first met" Lindir said
"I think so. But I would have liked him to have turned out like you strong yet good hearted"
Lindir smiled at Furrex and wished to the Valar that he was not in such bad condition.
"I never got the chance the meet my son and would have loved to. Lindir I want you to know that I think of you as my own. I have for years" the tears poured from Furrex's eyes
Lindir's own face was steaming with tears and he told Furrex "I know. And thought of you of my father as well" he took hold of Furrex's hand between his own and the both of them enjoyed their peaceful moment.
Eight months later Lindir was panicking. He was frantically waking up the other family members.
"What's wrong lad" Dextera Tua slurred
"It's Furrex! I can feel his life force fading. He doesn't have much longer" Lindir said
The other members jumped out of bed and rushed to Furrex. It was just as Lindir said Furrex was dying. He was pale and his breathing was ragged. They gathered around their former king and waited for his final words.
"My friends...my family...you're all I have known for many, many years and I want you to look after each other" he told them
"We promise" Dextera Tua Said
"Lindir" Furrex said hoarsely
Lindir kneeled to Furrex's side and held his hand.
"I'm glad I met you lad, I never would have know what being a parent would have felt like if not for you. Elves live forever, does that mean you'll never forget me?" he asked
"No, never. I could never forget you and I'll make sure the world doesn't either"
"Thank you Lindir. Thank you everyone for...being my...family..." Furrex closed his eyes, took his last breath and died.
There was not a dry eye in sight. They all wept for Furrex but none more than Lindir. The night they burned Furrex on a pyre prayers were said, songs were sung and stories were told in his honour. Lindir felt his heart being torn in two. It was like he had lost his home and family again. Dextera Tua once told him that time heals all wounds, Lindir wished it was true.
As the years continued Lindir stayed the same, forever young while the rest of his friends grew older or got sick and died. Five years, eight years, twenty years almost everyone Lindir knew was dead. It was just him and three others and they were getting on in years.
One day they were approached by a stranger who called himself the new king of thieves. He offered them a place's in his court as he called it. As first they were sceptical but with their dwindling numbers they accepted.
Lindir did not like or trust these people. He made a promise to himself to never show these people his face or tell them his real name. He and his companions were taken to the kings hideout and they were told the rules. The rules were almost the same as the ones they already followed but they had some new ones. The three rules that the king said stood above all else were call me king and nothing else, always obey the king and betrayal with met with death.
It didn't take long for the king and his men to figure out that he was an elf.
"How does an elf end up with the likes of us?" the king asked
Lindir didn't want to tell him anything so he just told him lost his home to orcs and had nowhere else to go. The truth but not the whole truth. The king believed him and didn't ask again.
They had been there a month and Lindir hated it. These thieves were to violent for him. They sometimes killed the people they robbed, they beat and raped women and they treated each other as enemies. You couldn't turn you backs on them.
Lindir had to beat some of them away when they got to close to him and wouldn't take no for an answer. He had tried to convince his friends to leave many times but they said they were in too deep. If they left they would be hunted down and silenced.
It only took four months for the last of Lindir's friends to die. Lindir was positive that the king had something do with their deaths but without any proof there was nothing he could do. He mourned the loss of his friends and realised that he was probably the last of Furrex's men.
Lindir wanted to leave but he remembered what is friend told him 'he would be hunted down and silenced' and in truth Lindir didn't have anywhere else to go. He was a criminal, a wanted elf, who would take him in?
Eleven miserable years later and Lindir sat with several other discussing a possible job at a jewellery store. One of the men suggested they kill the guards and Lindir felt sick. Unlike these people he considered himself clean. He had never killed anyone for anything.
Their planning was interrupted when the king's right hand man said that there was an important meeting in the main hall.
The king stood on his pedestal and said he had something big planned, the greatest heist ever known. He told them that there was an Elven convoy travelling the roads and they had great riches with them.
Everyone but Lindir was excited. Lindir considered himself a disgrace to the Elven race. He had stolen from his own kind before and always regretted it.
The king had found out the route the elves were going to take and started to make plans to intercept them. His plan was anything but simple. The elves had various guards that were heavily armed with swords, bows and armour. The only advantage the kings men had was the element of surprise.
After the plans were made and ever one had been given a roll to perform Lindir was called to the kings private room "You call for me?" Lindir asked
"Yes. I have a very special task for you Lindir" the king said
When the king said 'special task' Lindir immediately knew he meant 'I'm going to use you as a shield or bait' it was always the same. Lindir was sure the king wanted him dead.
"Your jobs is to protect my men" the king said
And there it was, Lindir managed to not roll his eyes and continued to listen.
"When my men take out the wheels of the carriage I want you to hide in the trees and throw projectiles at any who attacks us while the others grab the loot"
"Understood" Lindir asked sounding unimpressed
"Cheer up kid, this is the chance of a life time" the king laughed
Lindir grimace at the kings blackened teeth and left with a bow. Lindir had his task however...the king say he couldn't accidentally throw projectiles at any one who went too far. Lindir smirked to himself, he had stopped other members from going too far during their missions such as men wanting to rape or kill victims. He took a sense of pride and joy when he stopped such terrible acts but he couldn't stop them all.
The day of the ambush came far too soon for Lindir. He could see the convoy while he was in the trees. The others were waiting in other various places they had all practiced for weeks and now they were going to put their plan into action. Lindir thought it was risky attacking during the day but the king insisted that the elves would not suspect being attacked in broad day light.
When the carriages were close enough the men thrust long spears in the wheels breaking the spokes and stopping the carriages. Then they attacked. Some men focused on the guards, others focused on keeping control any hostages and others grabbed the loot.
As Lindir kept an eye on the scene he kept himself hidden and threw knives at any guards. The knives he threw were blunt. He made them himself. They were designed as a distraction they wouldn't pierce the skin but they could leave bruises.
He threw the knives at the back of the guards helmets so the helmets would fall forward and cover their eyes. Then something caught Lindir's eye. One of them men was taking jewellery from the hostages and was getting to grabby with one of the females. When the men went to touch her chest Lindir threw a blunt knife at his hand.
The man hissed in pain and looked in the trees. He couldn't see the kid but knew he would get hit with another knife if he kept on trying to touch the women. He took the rest of the jewellery and fled.
Because Lindir was distracted throwing a knife at the man another man was killed by an Elvish blade.
The plan was going well several men had already gotten away with bags of gold of finery and the order to fall back was given.
As the men fled Lindir followed in then from the tree tops. The Elven archers began to fire arrows but Lindir intercepted them with his knives. Every knife met their target. He knocked the arrows to the ground before they could get to the men. Finally Lindir threw smoke bombs to deter the elves from following them.
The mission was a success.
When they had returned to their hideout the king declared a large celebration would be held. Lindir wanted no part of it. He sat alone in a small room he shared with four others. He hated the cramped conditions and the body odour the men produced was not his idea of luxury.
"You stupid runt" a gravelly voice said
Lindir looked to the door and saw the man he had thrown his blunt knife at.
The charged towards him and said "What the fuck did you think you were doing?"
"I was saving your life" Lindir lied "That female had a hidden blade on her if you'd have gotten any closer she would have slit your throat"
"You lying rat. If you pull a stunt like that I'll have your guts for garters. And I'll be speaking to the king about this" after that he left
Lindir didn't care, he never cared he stopped caring long ago.
In the morning Lindir was called to see the king 'I wonder what he wants?' Lindir thought sarcastically. He knew what he was being called for. When he entered the kings room he was he saw the man from yesterday, the king and his guards.
"There you are kid. It has been brought to my attention that you hurt one of my men. Is this true?" the king asked
"I saved him. The female had a knife and she was going to cut his throat" Lindir replied
"I don't know if you're telling the truth or not but because of you one of my men died and we lost the sack of gold he was carrying"
"Yes but everyone else got away with plenty more" Lindir argued
"Even so, you will be punished for your actions" the king said
When the king snapped his fingers two men grabbed Lindir and forced him to his knees. A third man showed up with a whip.
"Thirty lashes should be enough" the king said and the beating began
Lindir retreated to the back of mind and remembered the better moments in his life, it distracted him from the pain. When his punishment was over he was dropped unceremoniously face first onto the stone floor.
"I certainly hope you have learned your lesson" the king taunted
Lindir glared at him and left. He could already feel the wounds healing but it was still painful. He was never treated so badly in the past. He wished Furrex was still alive, he wished his friends were still alive, he wished he could leave this life behind.
Next chapter we go to Rivendell.
