Savarah was a woman in her late forties, with light blond hair and cobalt-blue eyes. She was still lovely, despite the lines of age on her face. She would need to name an heir, as she was past the age for children and had yet to conceive, despite her efforts. Her sister-daughter, Sahóra Aear, would be the right choice, especially since the child would be living with her. Savarah's sister had just died in childbirth. The baby, more's the pity, was a scrawny boy. Savarah had the unholy child drowned; to let him live would have been an insult to her sister's memory. Savarah was surprised to see Sahóra, Kheti and a *very* comely man coming towards her. "How's Mama?" Sári asked, as soon as she saw her aunt. Savarah just shook her head. Sári bowed her own head sadly. 'Another part of her innocence gone,' Legolas thought, feeling sympathetic towards the girl. "You'll be living with me now, Sahóra," Savarah said gesturing to maid. "Follow Kahra. She'll help you get settled." As soon as they were gone, Savarah turned an appreciative gaze on Legolas. "Where did this one come from?" "The forest," Kheti replied shortly. "He was trying to take advantage of your sister-daughter." Legolas glared at her furiously. "I wasn't-" "Hush," Savarah said, caressing his chest. Legolas flinched. "Now, you can stay here, be treated like royalty, so long as you stay a body slave. Or you may face rape and torture until you die," she purred invitingly. Legolas spat in her face. Savarah pulled away sharply. "So, you choose death. Kheti," she turned to the fighting woman, "you may have a body slave to warm your bed tonight, for your good work this day. Or, if you wish, you may break this one in." The fighting woman gave a feral, dangerous smile. "I'll take this one. Thank you gracious Mener." Before Kheti could drag Legolas off, Savarah turned to the Elf. "You received a better chance than most. Within a week, you'll be screaming for death." Legolas gave her a piercing stare. "I'd be screaming for death sooner if I allowed myself to become your pet. Take care of Sári," he added suddenly. "She is a jewel, a gift from the gods. You will be truly sorry if she comes to any harm." *^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^* Sári came downstairs to join her aunt at breakfast. "Oh, Aunt Savarah! May I see Legolas today?" she asked hopefully. "He never did get the chance to teach me that wonderful song." Savarah couldn't bear to tell those wide, trusting eyes that she had sent Legolas to the frightening Ziebarth. She thought quickly. "He was killed, Sahóra. He tried to run away, but he was caught be a pack of wolves. I'm very sorry. We tried to prevent it..." "At least," Sári said quietly, "he didn't have to be put in the Ziebarth." Savarah looked away quickly, so Sári couldn't see the lie in her eyes.

A/N Sry that was so short. More's coming up, including the intervention of some more of Tolkien well-loved characters.