TITLE: "Nothing Special, Chapter Two"
PROMPT: #169: Careful (452 words)
AUTHOR: Marethiel/ThinkingLady
RATING: PG-13 (for potentially disturbing images)
DISCLAIMER: Don't own 'em, drat it. I just take 'em out to play. Many thanks to Professor Tolkien for creating these wonderful souls to populate my imagination.
NOTES: Sequel to Prompt #168: Special
BETA: The lovely and vivacious Cairistiona!
~-oo0oo-~
Silence, but for the now quiet breathing beside him
Thank the Valar, he sleeps. Rest was hard won.
A slight sound as he quietly draws up his knees, propping his elbows and resting his forehead on his bound hands.
Thank Ilúvatar they allowed us to remain together. Apparently they see us, in our present condition, as little enough threat. Perhaps they are right… that last beating truly hurt him… thank the Valar the bleeding stopped. Foolish heroics…
How could I have missed the clues these beasts were lying in wait?!
I must be very careful, now. What I say, or do not say, will make all the difference in how he is treated. Do I continue to invite them to toy with me in order keep them occupied, to leave him alone? How long before that tactic grows old, and they turn their attention to him, all the more angry for the distraction? It would be that much worse for him… I must be so very careful.
How grateful am I that they have no clue as to who he is! What havoc could be wrought upon these fell beasts were his family to know he is captured! For I know his father… his brothers; they would pulverize these mountains to naught but pebble and grit in order to find him and bring him home to safety!
… Valar…. These bonds, so tight. He wriggles his hands, wincing in discomfort. His hands must be numb; I know mine are… but perhaps that's for the best …
His poor face… That eye is badly swollen; I pray no serious damage has been done. He is formidable, but a warrior with a blindside would be considered a liability, a burden… he would hate that. What if he *is* blinded? What if – *No!* Enough of such thoughts! I must come up with a way to escape, to get both of us to freedom, or at least to free *him*…
A very soft, yet deep, sigh
Who is this Master they serve? Clearly from the East, and clearly not mortal. I cannot see orcs serving any Man. I dare not even give solid thought to whom it could be. But I must… a clue to our freedom may rest in that knowledge…
Valar… the darkness that spreads over these lands… I do not wish my mind to turn to such horror, but can it truly be Sauron's herald? Does the Lord of the Black Gate return?
If so… then there will be war, once again.
Who will lead us? The old Alliances have been dead for an age… we have no Gil-Galad, no Elendil, no Isildur…
The tortured figure silently shakes his head, and leans back against the wall, grateful for the cool stone easing the fire in his back. Wearily he rests his head against the granite and closes his eyes.
And I am surely no Elendil.
TBC