Hunger of the Heart
Chapter 4
Harry gazed up through the flap in the tent at the sliver of the night sky that was visible. He was leaning over uncomfortably, the chains biting into his wrists painful. He had been trying to see a constellation that perhaps he could recognize, it had come in handy many times while on the run from death eaters and he was glad Hermione had drilled it into his and Ron's thick skulls.
Huffing in annoyance, he leaned back, glaring at the chain that linked from the cuffs around his thin pale wrists to the post in the middle of the tent. Argoth had yet to settle down for the night, unfortunately it sounded as though torturing new prisoners was a past time for him as another shrill cry of pain pierced the air. Harry shuddered tried to keep busy and block out the cries, faintly reminded of Hermiones screams when they had been captured as teens.
"If only I could use magic," he murmured, glaring at the chain. He had done it before, both prior and during his years as a known wizard, where he had cast spells without words or wand. Yet no matter how hard he glared, his eyes burning though he refused to blink, nothing happened and he was still bound.
"Buggers," he growled, "though I suppose I should be happy about one thing. They think me a hopeless child." He blushed a bit looking down at himself, knowing that he didn't look like the young man he was, yet perhaps a preteen.
He pulled again at his chain, and attempted to stretch as far from his bound hands as possible to see the sky again before jumping and almost letting out a scream. There, peering through the crack, were a pair of frightened blue eyes. With a gasp the other person retreated from the mouth of the tent and Harry attempted to stand but ended up face first in the well stamped dirt as for the chain made sure to jerk him down.
"Wait," he called quietly and then held his breath, straining to hear the other. He was sure he heard someone's breath hitch at his call, which gave him courage to press on,"You just startled me. I'm sorry! Please come back!"
He sucked in his breath and waited, hearing a shuffle before a small hand snaked its way between the flaps and a woman with blue eyes and brown hair poked her head through a bit.
They stood in silence for a moment until Harry couldn't stand it any longer," So. . .I'm Harry. . . "
He trailed off awkwardly as he woman gave him an odd look before responding in a hushed tone," Alana. My name is Alana." She shifted side to side shying from the shadows as if afraid they would give way to terrible beasts that would do her harm. And most likely they had in the past, Harry thought grimly as another scream of terror and pain tore through the night.
"Well it is nice to meet you Alana," he pronounced her name funny, unused to the strange tongue, and it gave a small twitch to her lips.
After another moment of silence she blushed and looked to the ground from her obvious staring," I am sorry. It is just I have never seen an elf before. Much less an elf child. You are very beautiful."
Harry blushed and shrugged not unused to comments on his looks ," heheh, um thanks. . . I am sorry but I really don't know much about…," he cringed inwardly thinking of house elves and wondered what his place in this new world was," elves. Or much about this place. You see I am very very far from my home. I am unaccustomed to the way things go around here."
She nodded slowly as if he had grown a second head but she quickly glanced behind her before stepping more into the tent and inching over to him obviously not scared off by him," I would say so. It is very unlike many to attack the raiders. They are very skilled and swift," she knelt down next him, eyes softening as she stroked his hair like a mother would. She seemed a bit motherly, and looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties, dark shadows under tired eyes but a kind loving aura hung on her. Harry was reminded distantly of , and his heart ached for home. Where were Hermione and Ron? He hoped again that they were home worrying about him.
Quickly sensing his sadness she leaned forward and murmured," Not to mention the funny way you speak. I have never heard of an accent such as yours, and the way you weave words is unlike many."
Harry heard he joke in her voice and a small smile curled the edges of his lips up but the chain around his neck clanked reminding him all too well that he needed to escape," Please. There must be a way out. Maybe together we can escape."
Before he had even finished her eyes had darkened and she was shaking her head sadly, sitting back on her hunches while looking away," If there is I have yet to see it and I have been in this. . .situation for several years now."
Harry bit his tongue unsure how to answer her, at the sight of her clear pain. Begging was heard from outside and Harrys eyes widened in horror as soon moans the obvious sounds of sex followed. He sucked his breath in, caught between horror, sickness, and embarrassment. The two slaves caught each others gaze, and Harry could see that the woman was frowning sadly.
"It is frequent for the men to take their passion out on their slaves," she said lowly, shivering as another howl of pain shattered the following silence," You know not having any of their women here. "
Harry didn't know what to say to that and he shivered at her suddenly dead eyes. Slipping over to him she gave him a short tight hug, a bit awkwardly before sitting back on her hunches.
"Don't worry. I will be here for you," Her blue eyes pierced his own," Argoth doesn't take too many children in, so most of us here can hold our own. We can help you keep up. And he's going to be out for most the night- I heard he was going to ride ahead and not return till morning. I imagine that is because of you being here."
"I'm not helpless," he said,"I know I don't look like much but. . ." he trailed off. With no wand and now in such a weak form, he really wasn't much. How could he fight off fully grown bandits, when at this age as a human he was unable to even ward off Dudley and his gang? He knew all too well when it came to his well-being, running normally was his only choice without magic. However it twisted his stomach, he was no match for a fully grown man with a sword.
She laughed lowly glancing to the crack in the tent and shrugged," I guess. Never could be a good judge of a person myself," a pained look swept across her face before she quickly went back to her emotionless expression, eyes keeping a close watch for any sign of movement at the door," but I warn you. Fighting back will only result in pain. Its best to do as your told. Do not worry, Argoth doesn't like boys. Even though," she looked to him," you are quite pretty. I doubt he'll see any sexual use for you, he most likely is keeping you in here to protect you from others. I imagine he sees you as a good merchandise to try and gain access to Mirkwood."
Harry blinked and his face paled while his heart dropped down to his stomach at her words. He wasn't sexually active at all and seeing as his true form seemed to be a preteen he could see why only kissing had appealed to him-causing any chance of a relationship with anyone to fly out the window it seemed-and the thought of being raped sickened him.
"I'm sorry!" she winced at his pale face and shifted glancing again from the opening in the tent to his pale face," I am unused to children staying. .I'm sorry."
"You seem to know a lot," he finally said holding his knees to his chest in an attempt to push unwanted thought's from his mind, feeling suddenly much like the child he looked to be. He knew the basics, and he knew how men had sex-growing up in the boys dorm there was nothing that wasn't shared between them-and the thought of that unwillingly being given to someone he didn't love or even know made him sick.
"Yes," she nodded," I have been a slave for many years- as I said- and have traveled on many journeys since Argoth bought me. I know that he works for a great evil in the south, attempting to widen its boundaries." She paused to watch his face as he slowly became more in tuned with what she was saying," I would imagine he wants you to be unharmed, for the most part, to be a bargaining chip for the elves of Mirkwood- a far better prize then Rohan I believe."
Harry sucked in a breath, the thought of being a bargaining chip against someone reminding him far too much of his days at Hogwarts.
"They do not know me, as I said I am far from home."
She shook her head, brow knitting as she stared at him oddly," You truly are from far away. Whom did you grow up with, obviously no elf. From what I hear children are their upmost treasure, more precious than anything I hear."
Harry looked at her oddly," they have plenty of kids to keep them occupied-I'm sure." He jutted his chin out stubbornly suddenly and crossed his arms causing his chains to bite into his worn skin," and it is as I said before! I can handle my own! I am no child!"
She turned to him obviously amused," Riiight. You look as if you haven't even seen fifteen summers! How old are you, ten eleven?"
Heat came to his cheeks even more and he looked away pulling at his chains," anyway. We cant just accept being enslaved like this! I most certainly will not be anyone's bargaining chip!"
"And how do you imagine to escape? I have seen some try, they normally are killed on the spot or beaten severely," she shook her head," unless the elves come and rescue you or by chance of some miracle I don' see how."
He frowned but before he could say any more a hushed whisper came from outside the tent," Alana. It will not do well to speak of such things," at the voice Alana was to her feet in seconds and Harry himself was tense.
"Elric," she gasped and a man stepped through, skin tan, hair black and eyes like coal. He didn't wear the armor like the others, but his black clothing with similar golden embroidery was much too rich for a slave, and unlike Alana and Harry he had no chains."
Harry's watched him with weary eyes as he came to them.
"I am sorry to have startled you," his voice was soft, and after looking at him closely for a moment Harry noticed he seemed have a kind look in his eyes," Alana. You should not speak of such things. If anyone else were to hear of these things, you would not get away easily you know that. Same with you, elf."
Harry frowned," you don't seem too concerned."
There was a tense silence and then Elric knelt beside him, eyes cast downward," I am here to simply give you some proper cloths," he released the chains while plucking awkwardly at Harry's sleeve before Harry swatted at his hand," Don't worry Alana I told Demnoss that I sent you to watch over him, seeing as how he is so precious in taking over Mirkwood."
"Thank you," she said quietly as Harry stood. The chains had been released but the cuffs were still on his wrists biting in painfully. From his side, where Harry had failed to notice a bag hanging, Elric pulled out a simple pair of tan pants and a brown tunic with white shirt. Harry's nose burned when the smell of something foul came from them.
"Just wear them," Elric said pushing the garments into the boys hands," It will only get you in trouble if you don't."
Harry nodded, unsure of what to make of this so he waited for them to half turn, Elric refused saying he wouldn't allow the boy to slip out the back while Alana politely looked out the crack of the tent to the sky, and he slipped into the cloths. They were about his size, the pants were a bit wide on his waist and the shirt hugged a bit tight while the tunic itself was very loose. He closed his eyes, the foul stench stronger now that they were on him and he felt ill.
"Its all we could find in your size, so they are not going to be the best fitting," Elric was chaining him up again but Harry found he could only focus on trying not to breathe through his nose as sweat beads rolled down his temple," but Argoth said he would not have you dressed so strangely."
Harry covered his mouth as he felt a wave of nausea hit him and vaguely sensed that Elric and Alana were exchanging words but was too sick to listen. He hunched over, away from their voices and vomited what little was on his stomach.
Soon he relaxed, the feeling of Alana rubbing his back soothingly helped calm him but didn't help his stomach as it twisted as another whiff of the smell came from the cloths.
"I cannot wear this," he coughed," they smell so foul."
"It's because these were once on corpses. I am unsure if Argoth will allow you back into your old cloths so please try and bare with it," she murmured.
He lay on his side struggling to keep breathing through his mouth, allowing his eyes to closed. He felt her settle next to him.
"Just sleep. Lay your troubles aside for the moment,"
Harry found it all too easy, the voice in the back of his head yelling that he was not a child but he sure was acting the part at the moment, as she sang a strange song lowly while stroking his brow.
"Black bird, black bird,
Sitting in a tree,
Looking to the sunset without company,
Alone your trill rings,
Fading with the light
Why do you not move on in the night?
Black bird, black bird,
Unlike all the rest,
No colors color your wings or breast,
Surrounded by others,
Alone you must stand,
Why not go to a far off land.
Black bird, sad bird,
My heart cries for thee,
Your no longer signing without company,
You lay on the earth,
Truly wretched,
You died alone surrounded by family.
Harry opened his eyes painfully and the light that poured through the door of the tent caused his head to throb. The stench of his cloths was still there, though not as strong, and an acidic taste clung to his tongue making his stomach turn but he swallowed thickly not allowing sickness to overcome him. He felt sluggish, as if he had been forced awake from his strange dreams of a lonely bird.
His heart jumped at shouting and he shot up, ignoring how sore he was. Looking around he saw he was alone, still cuffed to the pole. There was shouting outside the tent, and sounds of rapid movement.
After a moment of tensely listening to the noise from outside with shouts of' hurry' and 'we don't have all day' Harry finally allowed himself to relax. Sighing he tugged at the chains, ignoring how his wrists screamed in protest as it broke open new scabbs. Glaring at the chain he willed for the feeling of that all too familiar prickling behind his eyes, imagining the chain breaking.
"Come on," he murmured but it didn't so much as budge in response.
Letting his breath out swiftly he growled," What is this? I can blow up a fat woman for insulting my parents but I cant break a stupid chain put there by a bunch of heartless thugs who think they can toy with life." His stomach turned at the thought of the night before, and the smell on his cloths didn't help much.
Swallowing thickly he closed his eyes forcing his breathing to become regular, though that only made him all the angrier.
"Ugh," he growled again and went to throw his hands up, forgetting that they were bound, and they were jerked painfully back down by the chains. Frustrated he gave a shout kicking his legs, and across the tent a vase full of water broke.
Blinking he looked to where the shards lay on the ground, and attempted to work out if that had been his doing or not. It must have been. He had been angry, sure, but thinking about it he was sure the warmth of magic had been coursing in him at the moment.
"It must have been, there is no other explanation," he murmured.
"I see you're awake," Harry jumped at Alana's voice and looked up to see her looking at him strangely.
"Did you see that?" he asked gesturing to the fallen pot.
Quirking an eyebrow she walked over to him, there was some bread in her hand he hadn't noticed before, and gave it to him and he accepted it," See what? You yelling at nothing in particular and knocking the vase over?"
He sputtered and looked from where he sat to the vase. True the tent was not large but he wasn't able to reach the leg of the table," it's all the way over there! I couldn't have touched it."
She pursed her lips not looking at him as she busied herself with cleaning up the shards.
"You saw it right?" his voice gave way at her lack of response doubt filling him.
"Elric is going to be here soon. Be nice to him, he is a friend," she looked at him finally to see his deflated look and her gaze softened," Look I am sorry Harry. Sometimes we all think we see things, and wish there was a way out. There isn't. Just bow you head, listen, and we'll be to Mirkwood in only perhaps a few weeks' time, maybe less than that if we travel hard."
He nodded nibbling on his dry bread," Can you tell me anything about Mirkwood? Or the elves?"
She opened he mouth but Elric made his presence known and she nodded to him, going to walk out the tent before pausing to look at Harry," We can talk later. The camp is getting ready to go on the move. Argoth has announced you are top priority."
And she left the tent without another word.
Elric released his chains and Harry eyed him, having finished his bread, as he motioned for the boy to rise.
"How do you know I will not run?" he followed the darkly dressed man out the tent frowning at the rainclouds that blotted out the sun.
"I know you must not be that stupid," the man responded without hesitation," and in a matter of a month we will be with your kind. From what Alana tells me you are not from around here, so even if you did somehow manage to escape, it wouldn't be wise to do so out in the wilds so far from any help to come."
Harry frowned at his words and looked angrily to the ground. This feeling of being pulled around, of being forced to play a role in someone's plans and being used was all too familiar. Even after the war, it was one thing after another of doing the work others expected of him.
At Harry's silence Elric continued while guiding him out of the tent," You are to assist in some of the choirs around the camp. I expect you to listen. I am in charge of keeping slaves in line, but there is little I can do to protect you from a punishment. And if you mouth off, even if you are considered important to Argoth for trade, I assure you they will punish you. "
They were out of the tent, walking past other tents being brought down, and carriages being built. Harrys mood soured even more if that was possible at the sight of the gray clouds giving way to sparsely falling rain drops. He followed close to Elric, seeing other slaves look to him timidly before going back to their work and pass occasional glances his way.
Ending up in front of a group of young men they paused and gave their full attention to Elric and Harry.
"All right. I expect you to join them in caring for the horses. This is Lawrence and Cant. And over there is Ghôn. He doesn't talk much and isn't too tame, just leave him be,"
Harry had only momentarily looked to the blond curly haired man, Lawrence, and the large scowling man who had been dressed in animal skins like many people in the village that was raided, and Harry supposed from his many wounds and chains he was not laying down and taking slavery too well, before fixing his gaze to the man petting a horse separated from the group. He supposed that was the only reason why Elric had introduced him, so Harry tried to make it as if he wasn't staring like everyone was to him.
Ghôn was unlike any man here, to the point Harry wondered if he were even human. He was short in stature, with stubby limbs and a wide chest. He was potbellied and his face wasn't too pleasant to look at with its many scars white and angry on his dark skin. He had a wide flat nose, and eyes set deep in his face that suddenly stopped looking at the horse he was petting to Harry who froze at the blackened stair that seemed to flash red for a moment. Harry took notice at jewels that were embedded in his cuffs around his wrists, biceps, and neck glowed for a moment and seemed to cause him to go back to the horse he had been paying attention to.
"Never seen a wild man before?" Harry snapped his eyes away to Lawrence who was smiling kindly over to him," nor I. I'm from Bree. Not even in Bree did those. . .did they come." The blond man seemed confused at what to identify Ghon as, and looked back down to Harry so Harry gave him his full attention as he gestured for him to follow, giving him two buckets as they passed them.
Lawrence was perhaps the most normal person he had seen since he had arrived other than Alana. His curls were matted to his head, but Harry imagined they would have been a cheery gold if more care had been taken to them, his eyes were a bit far apart but kind and his thin lips were in a forced smile. He had a strong jaw and crooked nose, as if it had broken once or twice.
"No I am not from around here," Harry decided to respond;" I actually have been quite lost."
They were heading to a small lake, Harry noticed as other slaves stumbled passed with filled buckets. Harry looked passed that to the mountains not too far off. It truly was amazing, being almost to the base of a mountain range and seeing the grandeur of the land push up into the heavens.
"Where are you from then? Is it Rivendell? Or Lorien, I suppose they would be the nearest," It wasn't Lawrence but Cant was now in stride with them, carrying three buckets of water on each arm, unlike Harry and Lawrence who both carried two. He supposed the large man was strong enough to carry six.
"How far from here is Lorien?" he asked, not feeling up to trying to explain from where he was from.
They walked for a moment as Cant thought and then shrugged," I suppose half a moons passing. Maybe less. I have never left these lands, but once and that was to ride with Freca to Rohan," his mood seemed to sour so Harry didn't press.
They made it to the lake and filled the buckets as rain began to steadily fall and as they began to trek unpleasantly back to camp, Harry stumbling frequently.
Lawrence laughed lightly," Have you not done a day of work in your life child?"
With a half attempt at a glare he replied sharply," I have. Just not like this."
"Of course, the child is an elf. They wouldn't have him do any true labor, look at him. Soft as a new born babe and as weak as one too," Cant grinned wolfishly, his brown eyes glinting.
Trying not to make enemies Harry pressed forward, catching himself as he tripped again," Where are you guys from? Can you tell me about these lands? I am very unfamiliar with them."
Cant frowned, but Lawrence seemed more talkative and trusting piped up," Cant is from here. This was a small trading town in Dunland," at Harrys blank look his smile died and he said," not too far from the gap of Rohan. Perhaps a weeks time."
At Harry's lack of response Lawrence frowned," you truly are not from around here, or else the Elves keep their children stupid and blind of those around them."
"I am sure they educate their children just fine," he snapped, feeling a bit insulted despite the fact he had never been with elves, so he truly had nothing to back up his argument," I grew up with men."
It had seemed an appropriate response until he said it, and the other two were looking at him as if his head had inflated three times its size, and housed an extra set of eyes.
"I find that hard to believe," Cant said eyebrow raised," From what I hear elf children are a rare thing, and they treasure their children more than anything."
At Harrys," So I've heard," he continued," And I highly doubt they would give something like yourself to men."
"Are elves and men not friendly with each other?" he asked, figuring it wouldn't hurt to be unknowledgeable of that- he after all was seen as a child."
The others just looked at him strangely again, and before either could come up with a response Harry tripped falling into the mud, fully soaking himself the rest of the way and spilling what water had been left in the buckets.
"Worthless it seems that one is," shouted a man clad in armor and laughter erupted around him," good thing he's an elf! Maybe if the trade doesn't go through his pretty face can be of some use!" Harry realized that he had been being watched as a sort of comedy routine by the men, and he felt his cheeks burn.
Elric was above him, hauling him to his feet roughly," Go get more water, quick before they decide you not worth it."
Harry jerked from the others grip the hot feeling of magic making the other let go and be pushed back a little, allowing Harry to stumble and fall again in the mud, "Don't touch me," he hissed as his cheeks burnt with embarrassment, but his heart sored as he knew that time he had used his magic. He looked to his hands, silently hoping if he needed to fight he could do so.
Elrics eyes widend for only a moment before coming closer and hissing," You will learn to listen Elf. And I suggest," his dark eyes were not on Harry but glancing around the camp," you will keep your tricks to yourself until they can come into better use."
Harry shrunk at that, confused but knew that the other spoke of his magic.
"Come you have work to do, or you'll surely get a beating. Argoth has returned and if he saw you misbehaving he wouldn't hesitate for punishment," Harry allowed Elric to haul him to his feet as he stumbled forward to pick his buckets up again, eyes meeting with dark one across the field.
Ghôn's eyes seemed to glint with something, and Harry felt uneasy. There was only the slightest nod from his direction before the other went about doing his work.
Harry stumbled along, more confused than ever.
BREAKBREAKBREAKBREAK
"Hello," she was breathing heavily, having fought off many of those nasty spiders, and she wondered if the noise had been another trick of her mind. This forest was foul, fouler than the forbidden forest they had been in before being blown away and she hoped Harry had landed in a safer place then she had.
She walked on a small cobblestone path that was lost to her at times, but when that happened she forced herself to stop and focus her magic on the task at hand. It was tiring, as for her magic in this place felt so different, a raw burn behind her eyes or under her skin, not the familiar tingle it had been back home.
She gripped her wand tightly, though it had only proven a little useful as for it seemed all the spells she had learned in her years at Hogwarts to be useless. It seemed magic in this place was quite different.
"Who's there," she glanced to the trees remembering all too well the spiders that had descended upon her before.
Looking back down she jumped at the sight of three blond men, and a brunet. They were all very tall and had long willowy limbs, elegant faces with high cheekbones, and were all quite beautiful.
"Oh great," she shifted murmuring to herself, after growing up such a social outcast it was easy to fall into old habits," now I am hallucinating. Why couldn't it be some nice Chippendales. That's more my type." She pouted a bit looking to her now confused mirage, though the beautiful men were now smiling, mirth in their eyes.
"It seems you have been lost in the forest for quite some time friend," the brunet spoke stepping forward," We see no harm in offering you food and shelter."
She blinked and blinked again," oh. So your real?" her mind seemed foggy and distantly wondered if this was how Ron always thought, which would account for his slow responses and lack of wit.
There was laughter from the group and they descended upon her, one of the blonds saying in a language she didn't understand," Ed' i'ear ar' elenea! Amin n'rangwa edanea," before continuing on in English," How is it you came to be here?"
She felt exhausted and he put a hand on her shoulder murmuring he would carry her, which she suddenly found him doing. The fog on her mind must have caused her to black out.
"We," she shook her head," I just wanted to help Harry."why couldn't she answer correctly? Her mind was bogged down by the fog and she heard some concerned words in that lovely language exchanged. Her eyes closed and she murmured," I just wanted to find his people."
The last of her words she wasn't sure they were spoken as she fell into a deep sleep.
Gasping awake Hermione shot up out of the comfortable bed. She looked around eyes wide as she forced her breathing to slow.
She was taken by tall beautiful men. Her heart stopped and her mind raced quickly coming to a likely conclusion.
"I'm in the world Professor Dumbledore wrote about," her voice was just above a whisper.
"Professor Dumbledore?" A fair voice questioned and Hermione jumped. There was another one of those beautiful men, an elf from what she had read. He was tall like all the others had been, with platinum hair and a long nose, which was jutted up slightly as if he were of someone of importance. She didn't doubt he was by his posture, and elegant clothing, nor the elaborate crown of berries and red leaves on his head. He looked like a king.
"I uh, yes he was my professor. He wrote of elves and the place they came from, though only from what he had heard," after a pause she continued wishing there was an easier way not to bombard him with information ," you see, and I know this will sound strange, but I am from another world. My friend, Harry, I discovered was from this world. We cast a spell to," she nodded her head a bit wincing as she remembered she had told Harry it would only change him. She had read it would also show where he was from, something he had hinted he wasn't really ready to delve into yet, so she had hidden it from him. But completely transporting them to the world where he was from was something unexpected.
"It seems you have much on your mind," the elf spoke finally," If you feel up to it, I invite you to dinner tonight to explain everything. It will give you time to gather yourself." She nodded bowing her head slightly thanking him politely.
"I am King Thranduil of the Woodland realm, and you are invited to stay here as my guest," He gave a small incline of his head and Hermione suddenly remember her manners.
"Oh, My name is Hermione Granger," she felt odd with her speech and felt out of place, though attempted to converse politely to the elegant man," and I thank you for your kindness. I would be honored to have dinner with you, and there are things I would like to discuss about my friend with you."
He nodded and left the room for some elf maidens to dote on and dress Hermione.
She frowned, hoping both the emerald eyed elf boy she had seen before being pulled away from him, and red headed Ron were safe. Shaking her head she told herself she couldn't worry, for there was much she would have to explain to the king if she were to get his help in finding either one of them.
BREAKBREAKBREAKBREAK
It had been a long day and Harry was sore, so when it was announced that the slaves were allowed to rest, he thankfully collapsed into a heap with the other exhausted slaves by a small fire.
Argoth had announced that morning the group was breaking up, that most would stay in the trading town so that they could have a foothold in those lands to later attack Rohan. Argoth himself, and a small band of men along with the slaves Harry had already met were the only ones going to this place called Mirkwood, where apparently Argoth had been in battle with the king and his people there on multiple occasions, never able to overthrow them from their home.
They had been traveling at a fast pace that whole day, and despite the fact he was on a horse with Argoth once again, the tense ride tired him though he couldn't sleep.
Sitting at the fire the slaves didn't speak much, and Harry watched them interact. It was obvious Alana and Lawrance were on good terms, and Cant managed to find his way into conversations with them even though he was seemingly a bit more brash and harsh spoken.
Ghôn sat on his own, away from the fire, the jewels in his bindings the only things Harry was sure helped him be visible in the dark since his skin and eyes were of such a dark color. He wished to speak to the other, though had not yet found the chance to approach him.
Harry also sat on his own, though not away from the group as for the warmth of the fire was too much of a welcome after traveling for the most of the day under heavy rain. Though he was thankful for it as for it had cleansed his cloths enough that they didn't smell so terribly and cause his stomach to turn.
Suddenly thinking of something he looked up to Alana, who had been quietly conversing something with the other two, quite suspiciously he thought as they broke apart at his stare. But he chose to ignore it, and ask the question originally on his mind, ignoring Elric who sat 'watch' over them, it seemed the man was more an ally or neutral party than their enemy so Harry didn't worry too much if he heard the conversation.
"How is that boy supposed to send a message to Mirkwood so fast if we are weeks away from there? And if it truly is dangerous as you guys have made it out to be?" he had told them briefly of the boy he had seen told to send a message to Mirkwood the previous day.
Alana and Lawrance exchanged uncomfortable looks, as if trying to find the way to properly tell him and he found himself annoyed though Cant was kind enough to answer him directly without even blinking," Argoth has ways of bringing messages to others with dark powers. I have seen this first hand when he gave my people the offer to join him."
Harry found a sinking feeling lay thickly on him and he felt ill," what happened to the boy?" he questioned though he wondered if he wanted to know.
"When I saw the one from the woman he sent," Cant frowned," she had already passed. It was a message from dead lips."
Harry didn't respond so Alana found it necessary to fill the silence," Tell us where your from Harry," she said as cheerfully as possible as they tried to ignore the loud laughs from the men as they drank and ate.
Harry shifted," I am not very good with words, I wish my friend Hermione were here, she could tell you everything." He looked uncomfortable under their gaze, never one for constant attention focused on himself," um lets see. There are a lot of people, a lot more than here. And –" he shook his head," look guys this isn't important! We need to focus on escaping! I can help! We can do this."
Lawrence grinned, Alana frowned, and it seemed Ghôn was interested in what he was saying. Elric coughed a bit and Harry worriedly glanced to the group of men who were finishing off their suppers.
"look at that, what did I say guys," grinned Cant," I saw spirit in you lad. Alana here was saying children like you shouldn't be involved."
Harry raised an eyebrow and the three scooted closer to him, but Elric cleared his throat and they could see Argoth heading over to them.
Before he arrived to pull Harry away, and order Elric to lead the others to the cage, Lawrence whispered frantically," wait until the mountains to strike."
Harry watched them settle into the caged cart with Erlic settling down at the opening. It was an estimated week until they reached the mountain pass. What could they be planning?
Harry frowned and glared ahead. Well if they thought him too much of a child to help, they had another thing coming. He shivered in the cold as Argoth checked his chains once more to assure they were secured. Tomorrow, he silently promised as he gazed up at the cloudy skies, tomorrow he would ask what the plan was so he could help.
In the dark, Ghôn's dark eyes flashed, watching as the young elf slowly fell asleep under the clouds as they slowly dispersed. A smile tugged at his lips and he closed his own eyes, the jewels glowing once again on his bindings.
endendend
Athors Note: Oh my this chapter was hard to write! Sorry it took so long, not only was I writing my other stories- that whole wanting to be a published author thing lol- I also had been looking at it all day unsure if I want to add more or not or revise it. At one point I almost deled the whole thing! I did a bunch of research on ME and some of its occupants. I also was unsure if I wanted Hermione and Ron in the story, but decided I most definitely wanted Hermiones voice. She is going to be more important later on =P
I hope I didn't confuse everyone too much with this chapter. They are a little less than a month from Mirkwood, Cant is from Dunlend, and Ghôn is a Druedáin.
Um that weird little song is something I threw down without too much though- if you couldn't tell I do not write song lyrics lol.
Also the elfish translations are " by the sea and stars! I don't understand these humans."
I know that there isn't too much going on at the moment, I was trying to keep things going fast while still explaining a lot and giving a good set up-I know some people become bored without action.
Please let me know how you feel about this chapter! Thank you so much for reading and being so patient for an update! As always Reviews fuel my creative flame!