I am finally back! Real life has been insanely busy of late, but thanks to the support of my own Prince Charming, I have the day to work on my story. Thank you to all who reviewed. It truly makes a difference to know that other people are as excited about this story as I am. Hope you enjoy!
-Mia ^_^
Confessions
The sun had yet to rise when the guards dragged Legolas into what could only be a receiving hall. A few decadent tapestries adorned the stone walls while a gilded chair sat alone on a small dais at the other end of the room. Another guard escorted in the older slave. In a moment, a rumpled Naeem barged in, wrapped in an extravagant evening robe. He glared at the party standing before him. Legolas felt the guard holding his arms shift uncomfortably under the nobleman's scrutiny.
"You roused me at this unholy hour for a slave?"
One of the guards, wearing a captain's insignia stepped forward.
"Forgive me, my liege. The Elf was caught outside the palace walls attempting to escape. He assaulted Benoni, who must have been trying to prevent his escape."
"Benoni," noted Legolas, "that must be the human's name." He felt Naeem's scathing gaze settle on him and quickly lowered his eyes in the proper manner. Legolas shuddered at the thought of what awaited him. Attempted escape always brought the harshest punishment. Saleros had deeply ingrained that lesson. Legolas shied away from the memories. It would do no good to dwell on evil past. He could only reconcile himself to the evil ahead. A raspy voice broke through his thoughts.
"Master, the Elf was not trying to escape." Legolas realized it was the man, Benoni, speaking. "I am the cause of the disturbance, Master. I was trying to set the Elf free, but he resisted."
The courtroom went deathly quiet, incredulous eyes turned on the wheezing slave. None were more shocked than Legolas.
"Are you saying, Slave, that when you tried to release this Elf, he assaulted you? You mock me, Benoni, and I do not like to be mocked."
"Forgive me, Master. I do not mock, but rather confess. I abused the trust you gave me, for I feared for the Elf's life. I stole food from the kitchen and obtained the key to the gate through deceit. I asked the captain of your guard for its use yesterday on pretense, meanwhile planning to use it to free the Elf this evening."
The puzzled nobleman turned to the captain. "Is this true?"
"He did ask me for the key, Master. I assumed it was on your business. It has not yet been returned. Forgive my oversight."
"Oversight indeed. This is outrageous! Benoni, you who received trust, boons from my hand, and food from my table-- I treat you better than any slave should be treated, and this is how you repay me? Off with him. Fifty lashes. If he lives, he can scrub the stables from now on. I want no part with him."
As the guards led Benoni away, Legolas wanted to cry out, to stop them, but his mind failed him with the means. The human's confession had sealed his fate.
"And you, my newest acquisition. You are a mystery that my tired mind cannot reckon with tonight." None dared point out that the sun was already rising. Naeem stared at Legolas then shook his head. "You truly are a fine purchase. As a reward for your faithfulness, I command that you no longer be confined to a cell. Ghazi, see that the Elf is fitted with one of my household tunics. He will attend to me tomorrow."
With that, Naeem retreated to his rooms, muttering to himself and rubbing at his eyes.
Ghazi, captain of the guard, led Legolas out toward the slaves' quarters. As they passed through the courtyard, Legolas stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of Benoni chained to a hitching post. The man's back was already a fiery mass of lashes, and the cruel switch continued to fall. Benoni gasped at each stroke, fingers grasping and clenching from their manacled location.
Ghazi pushed Legolas on, but the Elf could not tear his eyes from the grim proceedings. Just as they were leaving the courtyard, Benoni opened his eyes, and Legolas found himself locked in the man's gaze. Even now, the human's eyes held no hate, only pain and a resigned sorrow. Another lash ended the moment, as Benoni was thrown into the post. He clutched at the post, leaning his head against the rough wood. He did not reopen his eyes, and Legolas was dragged on. However, Legolas still felt as if those sorrow-filled eyes were upon him, laying bare his soul.
Through winding corridors that Legolas barely registered, the two made their way to the back of the compound. The rancid smell of aged manure announced the presence of the stables nearby. Just down from the stables, a smaller building squatted against the back wall. An orange glow emanated from the heart of the gloomy structure. Katchink, kathak, katchink, katchink.
As Ghazi led Legolas into the building, the smithy plunged the lump of glowing metal into a barrel of water. Leaving his work submerged, the dark eyed man turned to face the newcomers. Ghazi pushed his charge forward.
"Fit him. I wouldn't want this backstabber anywhere near me, but Naeem wants him for an attendant. Guess that's his business."
Ewald, the blacksmith, scrutinized the strange being before him. He noticed how the Elf flinched at Ghazi's words. The news of the morning's proceedings had spread with the rising sun, and all knew of the Elf's refusal to escape. They also knew Benoni's fate. Gruffly, the craftsman grabbed Legolas by the wrist noting the thinness as well as the sinewy strength.
"Hold him."
Ghazi grabbed Legolas by the shoulders and pushed him over to the scarred anvil. Ewald returned with several metal loops of various sizes. He grabbed the Elf's arm and fitted one of the smaller ones around his wrist.
Until now, Legolas had remained lost in his inner turmoil, but the cold metal against his skin jerked him back to the outside world. He pulled back from the hated touch, stifling a cry. Ghazi delivered a swift punch to Legolas's ribs and pushed him down over the anvil.
"Now you protest? You had your chance, Elf. Your little stunt might have impressed the Master, but clearly you are nothing but a pathetic slave."
Ewald hammered the manacle closed around Legolas's wrist then held a heated poker to the edges forging them closed.
"And you always will be nothing but a slave," growled Ghazi.
Legolas hissed from the burning heat against his wrist, but he did not cry out. He was familiar with this kind of pain. He almost welcomed it as a relief from his tortured musings. Heat seared along the side of his neck as a new collar was welded on. At last, Ghazi shifted his weight and allowed Legolas to stand.
Legolas absently fingered the heavy iron collar. A small loop stuck out where a chain could be hooked if required. Small loops for the same purpose also protruded from the iron manacles now enclosing his wrists. Legolas gazed at them, feeling their weight settle far deeper than his skin. The despair he had left behind came flooding back, but a pair of hazel eyes filled with sorrow halted the deluge. Suddenly, the chains seemed a petty thing over which to despair.
