Big thanks to Nevrane and missliz0981 for following/favouriting.
Writersarereaders – I didn't want it to be an instant type thing so glad you are liking it.
Hannahrachelle – Well given Fili will be with Lysa and Kili has feelings for Kessandra….it's a safe bet.
Rachetg – I find that scene so cute between them!
Wolfimus prime – Aww
Nice Egan – Things will all work out for everyone in the end.
BlondiezHere – Big changes certainly will be happening I can promise that.
Aranel Mereneth – I was going to have her in the story but then I didn't see how she would really fit in. But yeah Fili and Kili will certainly help each other out with their respective One's
Fleur – Glad you are enjoying it. As for the slaves of the others I can't promise anything. If they fit into the story then we will see them a bit.
When Push Comes to Shove
Lysa couldn't stop herself from humming as she cleaned out the final few bits of dirt and soot from the fires. As a child her first few years here had been plagued with nightmares and she could still remember an older girl singing to her to help her sleep. She could also remember what had happened to the girl – raped and killed by some drunk guards who figured a slave was easier pickings than anyone else.
Blinking back her tears Lysa got to her feet and rubbed the small of her back. Every single winter her joints would stiffen up like those of an old woman. Shaking her head she pulled out the pins from her hair and allowed it to fall down her back. Running her fingers through it she redid her bun before moving over and stripping Fili's bed to wash the sheets. Grabbing several of his clothes Lysa couldn't help but hold his tunic up to her cheek and gently rub it across her skin. It still smelt like him. Blushing she shook her head – what was she doing? Supposing someone saw her? Supposing Fili saw her? Lysa folded the clothes over her arms. She would need to get a move on if she wanted to get everything done.
The sound of laughter filtered through the open window and although she knew she shouldn't Lysa couldn't help but be drawn to the window. Peering through the glass she could just make out the shapes of Fili and Kessandra walking through the courtyard. Clenching the clothes to her chest she forced herself not to over react. Fili had told her he didn't plan on taking Kessandra out again, yet there he was. Lysa smiled to herself. How stupid could she be? Just because he had taught her to read and write didn't mean he liked her. Just because he was kind and caring didn't mean he would feel anything for her. Of course he would want Kessandra. She was a princess. She was smart, funny and so very beautiful. Yet here she was in her slaves garb with soot and grime on her hands and face whilst she could barely write her letters.
Lysa shook her head and hurried from the room. She should have known this would have happened. It had happened before so why shouldn't it happen again?
Fili forced himself to keep smiling as Kessandra talked. It wasn't that she was boring but he couldn't help but regret agreeing to spend the day with her again. As ever his brain switched back to Lysa and he smiled softly to himself. He'd have much rather spent time with her. Even if they weren't having a lesson he just wanted to sit and talk to her. Already she'd given him plenty of gossip about half of the kingdom and Fili had wrote a few tales down to tell the others. The only people she never spoke about were the royal family; Kessandra because she was nice and Elessandra and Kehal because she was scared. She had never said that but it was clear as day. The second Fili brought them up she would fall silent and her hands would tremble.
Biting his lip he looked over at Kessandra. He couldn't keep drawing this out – it wasn't fair on her.
"May I talk to you? Somewhere quiet?"
She nodded with an odd look on her face. Fili prayed she wasn't getting the wrong idea. Taking her hands they slipped through the back streets until they reached the main steps of the castle. Sitting down Fili waited until he was sure they wouldn't be overheard.
"Fili…you're still holding my hand."
He blushed madly before looking down. About to let go his eyes narrowed when he caught sight of a mark on her wrist. Partially covered by her sleeves Fili felt sick as he pulled the fabric away to reveal a huge bruise. With a gasp Kessandra snatched her wrist away and hid it beneath the folds of her dress. Fili shook his head.
"Who did this to you?"
No one…I hit it on my desk."
He frowned, "Kessandra…who hurt you?"
He watched as she shook her head before nodding and looking over at him.
"My brother." She sounded almost embarrassed by this. Given he was younger than her Fili didn't blame her.
Fili flinched at this. He thought back to Kili and as hard as he tried he couldn't imagine ever laying a hand on him. In fact, if anyone had ever tried to smack Kili as a child Fili normally jumped in to defend him. Licking his lips he took Kessandra's hand.
"What happened?"
She shrugged, "He told me…" she blushed, "He told me I needed to stop being stupid and marry you. He said other things about us as well but…well you get the idea."
Fili knew his face was on fire at this. Squeezing Kessandra's hand he gave her a comforting smile.
"Then what?"
"I said…I said I wasn't one of his slaves to order about and so he grabbed my wrist and twisted it until it almost broke," she shook her head, "And he wonders why I'll never let him near Lysa."
At the mention of her Fili's heart skipped several beats. He had known Kessandra was nice to Lysa but he hadn't realised the princess was the one thing standing between Lysa and Kehal. He made a mental note to tell Lysa of this later. Kessandra sighed.
"Anyway, what did you want to say?"
"I…" Fili wasn't sure if this was a good idea. He had no feelings for Kessandra but he wasn't going to let her get hurt. But equally he knew he had to get this off his chest.
"I…I don't want to marry you," he spluttered, "I don't love you. I mean I've been here for over a month and I can't feel anything of that nature towards you. I just feel you should know before it's too late."
He braced himself; waiting for tears. However Kessandra simply smiled before laughing softly.
"Thank you," she whispered, "Thank you so much."
Fili was lost for words and she turned to face him.
"I thought you were going to ask me to marry you! Fili you are such a sweet man. You're kind and caring and when you find your One she will be the luckiest girl alive. But that girl isn't me."
Fili giggled nervously – he hadn't expected it to be this…easy. Biting his lip he wondered if now would be a good time to make a move on Kili's behalf? He knew Kili and he knew his brother would be too scared to even talk to Kessandra during a feast.
"Have you…found anyone that you think might be your One then?"
Kessandra paused for a second.
"There's someone that I…I think I like. I don't really know to be honest. I haven't seen him much."
Fili couldn't resist, "Do I know him?"
"Yes," she smiled, "Yes I believe you do."
Satisfied she had finished Lysa got to her feet and glanced around the room; mentally ticking things off. Happy she had done everything she had wanted to she bit her lip. For once she actually had some spare time. She'd never had spare time in her life. No doubt she'd be needed by Kessandra in a few minutes but until then..? Moving towards the desk Lysa opened the top drawer and pulled out the sheet of paper with her wobbly handwriting on. She still couldn't believe she had written those letters. Albeit with Fili's help. But still she had done it.
"Lysa?"
At the voice Lysa froze where she was. She had completely forgotten the door was wide open. Holding the paper to her desk she licked her lips before looking up to see Kehal standing in the doorway. He narrowed his eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"I..?"
"Is that your desk?"
"No my lord," Lysa's throat felt completely cut off. Kehal nodded before shutting the door behind him.
"Then why were you looking in it?"
"I…I don't know my lord."
Within two stride Kehal had reached her. Lysa hurried to hide the paper behind her but he was too quick for her. With one hand he grabbed her wrist and with the other he grabbed her by the neck. Gasping for air Lysa tried to pull away as he brought her arm out from hiding.
"What is this then?"
"Nothing," she choked. Kehal examined the paper with a sneer.
"Is this yours Lysa?"
Lysa nodded, something hard with Kehal's hand bruising her neck. He tightened his grip before holding the sheet up in front of her face.
"Who gave you the right to assume you're better than a slave?"
"I…I wasn't thinking that at all my lord."
"Really?" Kehal pressed his face up against hers, "In which case why have you decide to learn how to write?"
Lysa shook her head weakly and Kehal let go of her neck. Licking her lips Lysa gasped as the back of his hand connected with her cheek. The force behind it sent her stumbling and when he slapped her again she fell to the floor. Kehal loomed over her.
"You are a slave Lysa. A good one maybe but still a slave. You're only fit for whoring yourself out to the next man who comes along," kneeling down he pulled on her hair, "I imagine you've made that prince a very happy man."
Trying to keep her sobs down Lysa didn't bother to answer him. Kehal tightened his grip on her hair.
"Now I could easily inform my mother of this – but I don't want to see you lose your hand."
Lysa forced herself to nod even though she knew where this was going. Sure enough Kehal grabbed her chin and forced her to face him.
"I think it's about time you repaid that debt you owe me," his eyes narrowed, "Stay still."
Lysa couldn't bring herself to struggle as Kehal grabbed both her of wrists and pushed her down onto her back. His body was pressed up against hers and as his lips brushed over her face and neck Lysa forced herself to look away. Kehal's hands hovered over her breasts before he sat up.
"Come to my room tonight instead of staying behind with your blonde prince."
"I…"
He slapped her again, "That wasn't a request."
Lysa said nothing; instead kneeling up as Kehal got to his feet and brushed himself down. As though nothing had happened he walked towards the door. Only when he reached it did he stop and look down. Lysa gulped as she saw he still had the paper in his hands.
"Would you like it back?"
"Please my lord."
He nodded before holding it up and ripping it into two. Lysa shook her head as he let the two halves fall to the floor before leaving the room. As his footsteps died she forced herself to her feet; desperately trying to stop the tears that were coming. Kehal had never asked her to his room before. The most she had been forced to put up with was him touching her in the corridors. But this…she knew what this would lead to. She wouldn't. She couldn't.
Bile rose in her throat and she hurried towards the bathroom. As she threw up more tears crawled down her face at the thought of being in Kehals bed. Finally she wiped her mouth and tried to ignore the ache at the back of her very sore throat. Getting to her feet Lysa looked around the room. She had never before considered leaving. But then she had never been told by the prince that he was going to rape her that night. Shutting her eyes to stem the last of her tears she nodded to herself.
She couldn't stay here. She had to leave.
Leaning against a wall Fili sighed, trying to ignore the bustle around him. Kessandra had gone back to her room half an hour ago and even though he had wanted nothing more than to see Lysa Fili had forced himself to remain outside. He knew what his uncle would say if he knew about Fili's feelings towards the slave girl. Thorin might not want Fili forced into a marriage but Fili doubted his uncle would want him marrying a slave.
"Fili!"
At his brothers call Fili glanced up to see Kili forcing his way through the thick crowds. Forcing the smile back on his face Fili waited until Kili was with him. He sighed.
"So I spoke with Kessandra earlier and told her I have no intentions of marrying her."
Kili nodded and Fili's smile was soon genuine this time.
"And she told me she was glad. That she has already seen someone who she thinks might be her One and that I know who they are."
He waited for Kili to smile or say something. But instead his brother gave a small nod. Fili sighed.
"Kee she's talking about you!"
"You don't know that," Kili sighed. Fili threw his hands up in the air.
"Well who else would it be then? Thorin?"
He was joking but Kili nodded seriously.
"Could be. Why should it be me?"
"Because..? Well because you're Kili!"
Fili thought he was making perfect sense. But instead Kili sighed and leant against the wall. Shaking his head Fili opened his mouth when something slammed into him – knocking him to the ground. Gasping as his breath was taken from him Fili caught a glimpse of a dark blue dress and long hair tickling his cheek. There was a frightened gasp and the figure scrambled away from him. Pushing himself up Fili's mouth dropped.
"Lysa?"
She shook her head nervously and Fili took her hands and pulled her to her feet.
"Are you alright? What are you doing out here?"
He had only ever seen slave's outside when with other people - presumably their masters. He'd even seen some of the company out with theirs. He had never been told but he knew slaves weren't allowed out on their own. If Lysa was here then something bad had happened.
Also the fact that she had a huge bruise on her face told him something was wrong.
Fili glanced at the mark in horror. The whole of her cheek was now a horrible discoloured purple. Forcing himself to remain calm Fili took her arm and gently pulled her into a small back street. She kept shaking her head and Fili signalled for Kili to block the entrance so no one could see them.
"Lysa? Lysa what's happened?"
She opened and shut her mouth. Biting his lip Fili gently reached out and touched her bruised cheek. She flinched.
"Who did this to you?"
She stepped away from him, "Please…please!"
"Please? Lysa I don't understand."
He would have said more when Kili held a hand up. Fili froze as shouts could be heard in the distance. Kili shook his head.
"Soldiers are heading this way."
Lysa's shaking got worse and worse and as he looked at her face Fili knew what she was doing out here.
She was leaving. She was leaving him.
He took her hand and more tears dripped down her cheeks. Fili took her arm and began pulling her down the street. He was aware of Kili following close behind.
"How close are they?" He whispered. Kili shrugged.
"Not far off."
Nodding Fili paused at the end of the street and peered round. As far as he could see it was empty of both soldiers and people. Turning to Lysa he forced himself to keep smiling. He didn't want her to leave. But he knew he'd rather never see her again that see her enslaved for another minute. Squeezing her hand he brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently.
"Run."
She narrowed her eyes, "What?"
Shaking his head Fili grabbed her and all but pushed her into the main street.
"For the love of Durin Lysa just run!"
She needed no more convincing. As she ran off Fili felt Kili reassuring arm around his shoulder.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because…" Fili sighed. He knew why he had done it. But he knew how much it would hurt him to now admit it.
So finally some stuff is happening. I have no words to express my hatred of Kehal! But at least things are moving forward with Kili and Kessandra…sort of. Bless Kili for not thinking he's good enough! As for Lysa…it's not going to be this straightforward I promise you Let me know what you all think xxx
