Disclaimer: I own all the characters of this story, but sadly I do not own Harad. That belongs to Tolkien.

A/N: Really quickly. Thank you for everyone who was been supporting this story. A million thanks. I have noticed that there are quite a few people on my alerts that haven't given me their opinion of this story. You know who you are so could you possibly speak up? Let me know what you think! And that goes for all anonymous readers too. And if there are any spelling or grammar mistake, my apologies for missing them.

Slave-Chap10-Don't Look Back-

Slave didn't know how long someone had been kneeling in front of her. She didn't know how long someone stood there and watched her suffering without lifting a hand. She didn't know what first raised her attention to it. Maybe it was the way the patterns of shadows danced differently. Maybe it was the presence of someone else in the room. Whatever it was, she was not happy.

"Go away."

"I was wondering if you would ever notice me."

Slave felt her nails dig into the rug before her. She felt the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand. Not Jewel. Anything but Jewel.

"You can't let go can you?"

Slave lifted her head, glaring with every ounce of hatred she could manage. "Go away. Now, before I do something you'll not like."

Jewel sat back on her heels crossing her arms. Sunlight from an above ceiling window glanced off her tanned skin. "I'm not afraid."

"You better be," Slave growled but she couldn't get up. The memory was too close in her mind. She could remember the little girl so clearly. It had been her. She had had parents who loved her. Were they still alive? Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, she couldn't stop it. Who was she?

Jewel tilted her head a bit before an understanding came over her. Crawling forward she pulled Slave into a hug. Surprised, she gasped but oddly felt no desire to back away and scream. She didn't know what to do.

"Put your arms around me silly. It's called a hug," Jewel laughed. "Haven't you ever heard of one?"

Hesitantly Slave lifted her arms and wrapped them around the girl kneeling before her. "I can't do this," she said aloud, speaking mostly to herself.

"Well you're doing it," Jewel smiled. "What did you remember?"

Slave was stunned. She clasped her arms around Jewel but made no attempt to pull her closer. They were already uncomfortably close. "Why do you care?"

"Because you're my sister."

It was too much. Slave pulled away and stood up. Sharply she turned around and pressed her fingers to her temples. She was shaking. This wasn't happening. She couldn't be breaking down. "No," she whispered fiercely.

Jewel stood herself, planting her hands on her hips. She glared at Slave's turned back. "Stop being such a chicken," she admonished. "The door's opening. Step through it."

"What's on the other side?" Slave whispered, turning her head back to Jewel. "I can see nothing there but slavery and endless suffering."

"You blind?" Jewel sassed. "I'll tell you what I see. I see a future. And you're happy. Turn around Slave and you're going to be miserable."

"What is the difference? It's all the same"

"Family's on one side. Close this door and you'll never remember."

Slave lowered her hands and stared at them. "I'm scared," she whispered to the girl behind her. "I don't know how to step through."

"You can't do it in one day," Jewel said softly. She touched Slave's shoulder. It was a featherweight touch so as to not startle her. "But ever since you came I've started stepping through my door and there's light there too. Happiness enough for both of us."

"You call slavery happiness?" Slave shouted spinning around, knocking the girl's hand away. "I didn't want this! None of this." She waved furiously around the library. "I'm a Farmer."

Jewel looked around. "What does that mean?" she looked at Slave grinning. "You're a Farmer, but for now you're here. And when you're ready my brother will take you home."

Slave didn't think she could get any more stunned. "He would do that?" the question floated out of her. She tried to picture everything she was hearing was a lie. The defense crumbled as if her mind, coming to reality and seeing its own light, turned its back on her.

"Of course he would," Jewel grinned. "You didn't think he was some big bad enemy did you?"

"Everyone's my enemy," Slave turned away. "Until I am free."

"So you say," Jewel said. "It's a nice day. How about we get you a light cloak or something to cover your face so I can take you to the market."

"Why? You know I'll just run," Slave crossed her arms. She had no problem admitting to the truth. She would. Despite everything she heard, and though some part of her believed it, she would not lose the chance when it showed itself.

"Well before you do, let me first teach you to be a girl." Jewel walked by her, swinging her hips with a grin. "And maybe I'll teach you some real dancing later."

Slave stared at the girl before her. "What does that mean?"

Rolling her eyes, Jewel turned around and grabbed Slave's hand. With a tug she pulled her toward the double-doors. "Shopping. You know? Buying lots of pretty shiny things until your brother finds out and bans you from it for a week?"

Slave shook her head. The word 'shopping' was new to her. She tried to pull her hand away but Jewel was holding it too tightly as she pulled her earnestly toward the door. "Stop!"

"No way," she denied the order. "If you're stepping through any door we're going to get you jewelry and fine clothing. Best in the City!"

"Really stop! I don't feel comfortable with this." Slave could feel herself getting mad. The anger that had been her support was rising up to protect her. She could feel the door shutting as she retreated back. She paused in her thoughts. Could she step back? She had tasted light, she didn't know if it was genuine, but the grinning girl, pulling her reluctant charge along, was her lifeline to experiencing more of it. There was no possible way she could go back.

Snapping back to herself, Slave lifted up her feet, as they burst into the hall. "Alright, I'm coming. Let go of my hand."

Jewel sent her a smile back. "See first step," she shouted, doing a little spin on the spot. "You got a real name?"

Slave, hurrying to catch up, slowed. "I….I still don't know it," she shook her head, and seeing that Jewel wasn't slowing down had to hurry to catch up.

"We can't keep calling you Slave forever," Jewel replied. "Can I give you a name?"

"No."

"How about Faith?" Jewel continued, ignoring Slave's comment. "I think it suits you. You had the faith to step out of your tower and you had the faith to see that not all words are lies."

Slave opened her mouth to retaliate but found she couldn't. For some odd reason the name seemed to fit comfortably within her. It had the presence of aching familiarity. She wondered how it could be possible. "Very well," she called out.

Faith, it felt good, like another step through the door. She could feel herself leaving behind the shadowy walls of the fortress she had built. She knew it was only the beginning. Slave, no, she reminded herself, I am Faith. There were going to be many hard and trying days before her, she knew that. But for now, the step she had taken was enough.