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Ok, now let's find out how Kara gets out of this mess...

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Chapter 21

~X~

"These two are not here to offer services," Runa bravely stated, taking a step forward. "You know the rules, if you want to spend time with them, you must first get permission from their owners…and I seriously doubt they'll give it, knowing how you are."

"This is none of your business, whore," Detlef snarled, his menacing tone causing Runa to shrink back in fear. "Stay out of it, or you'll be next."

"Get out of our way and let us leave," Melind spat out, stepping in front of Kara.

"Shut your mouth!" Detlef barked, reaching out and grabbing the blonde by the front of her dress and shoving her out of the way, causing her to stumble to the floor with a painful cry.

"Melind!" Kara screamed, lunging forward in an effort to get to her friend, but Detlef was too quick, grabbing Kara at the waist, he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder "Now…how about you and me visit one of the back rooms?"

"Get your filthy hands off me!" Kara yelled, beating her fists against his back with all her strength.

"Oh, I fully intend to do the exact opposite, little wild cat." And without warning, he pushed his way past Runa and the other women, heading for the back of the house. Kicking open one of the doors with his foot, he carried the struggling Kara inside, before slamming it shut behind him.

Melind had just managed to get back on her feet, rushing after them but was met with a locked door. She pounded her fists against it, screaming Kara's name, but she knew it was useless. She could hear Kara yelling obscenities at Detlef, but Melind knew that would not stop him from carrying out the vile act he obviously had in mind. Runa and the other girls looked too scared to do anything, but Melind knew she couldn't just stand there and let this happen. Thankfully, even if she was unable to stop Detlef…she knew who could! So, racing out the front door, she ran as quickly as she could to find Fili.

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Both Fili and Kili had just finished their breakfast when the door to the longhouse burst open, and a winded Melind came stumbling in, attempting to speak while trying to catch her breath.

"Melind?" Fili questioned, standing up as he stared at the frantic women. "What's the…" but he didn't get a chance to finish when she blurted out her news.

"Kara…she's in trouble…Detlef has her at the slave-house…he's going to…" This time it as Melind who didn't get to finish her sentence before Fili was running out the door, practically shoving her out of the way in his rush to leave. Kili, who was only a few steps behind his brother, reached out to steady the girl, urging her to follow as he took off as well.

Fili was not only livid, but terrified that he would not arrive in time. He should have known that Detlef would not just let this go, and he had obviously been looking for an opportunity to get his revenge on Kara. Fili had seen the vile man watching Kara whenever she was within his sight, but he had been foolish enough to believe that Detlef wouldn't dare attempt something like this. Apparently, he'd been horribly wrong.

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Detlef had carried Kara into one of the back rooms, kicking the door shut with his foot before putting her down none too gently, causing her to fall to the floor. He then turned and barred the door, making sure that Runa and the other girls would not be able to interfere. Kara had already scrambled to her feet and was plastered against the farthest wall, her eyes scanning the room for any sort of weapon. Yet a bed and a small table were the only pieces of furniture there were, and as she recalled exactly what these rooms were used for, she understood why.

"Stay back!" Kara screamed, reaching for the small table and throwing it at the red-haired man. Much to her horror, he caught it easily and tossed it aside, as if it was nothing.

"You think you can stop me, little one?" he laughed, slowly advancing on her. "You are like a bird in my hand, effortless to control…and far too easy to crush, should I choose."

By now he was only a foot away, and Kara knew if she stayed where she was, he would have her trapped. So, ducking under his left arm, she attempted to make it to the door, desperate to get out. However, he was too quick for her, grabbing her by her long hair and yanking her back. Kara let out a cry of pain, her hands going to her head as she tried to force him to release her, but it was no use. Knowing he had her under his control, Detlef spun her around and slammed her against the wall, the front of her body striking the wood with a loud thud. He then took both of her hands and jerked them behind her back, holding them with one of his own as he kept her cheek pressed against the wall.

"Now…how about we have a bit of fun?" he hissed into her ear, his foul breath almost causing Kara to vomit. His free hand came up and roughly grazed over the bruise on her chin, making her yelp in pain at his touch. "I'm surprised to see that Fili likes to play rough…I never took him for the sort. Or maybe you're just a naughty little wench who needs to be properly disciplined? I'm fine either way." And before Kara could even take a breath to speak, he whipped out a knife and hooked it in the back of her dress right above where he had her hands still confined. She cried out as the blade not only sliced through her dress, but cut into her skin as well, carving a sporadic, but thankfully shallow, path all the way up her spine. While the cut was not deep, it still stung like a million bees, and Kara could feel her own warm blood dripping down her back. "That's for humiliating me in front of everyone, whore," he hissed, spinning her around to face him. "And now, let's have a good look at what should have been mine."

Kara had been temporarily stunned by the pain in her back, as well as the way Detlef had been jerking her this way and that, but when she felt his hands grab the front of her gown, and begin to pull it off, her rage roared to life with a vengeance. This time not only did she strike out with her now freed hands, but she brought her knee up to connect with his groin with as much force as she possessed. Detlef let out a moan of agony, bending forward as he attempted to get away from Kara, but even wounded as he was, he was still twice as strong as she, and her victory was short lived. For just as she thought she might be able to escape his hold, he grabbed her on either side of her arms and brutally threw her back against the wall. Her head connected hard with the wood, leaving Kara dazed and no longer able to stand or fight. She collapsed to the floor, and lay there, attempting to discern up from down.

The ringing in her ears made it difficult to understand the string of vile speech that spewed out of Detlef's mouth, and Kara wasn't even sure she wanted to be able to translate it all. Her mind was screaming that she should get up and run, but for some reason none of her limbs would obey the command, leaving her as limp as a rag doll. When she felt the angry man grab her once again, this time tossing her onto the bed in the corner of the room, she knew this was it…he was going to defile her and there was nothing she could do to stop him. Again he ripped at her dress, exposing her to his vile sight. Kara weakly batted at his hands, but it was no use, he was far too strong for her and all she could get out was a mournful plea for mercy, one she was certain he would not grant. She could feel her mind beginning to shut down, doing its best to distance her from what was to come. And yet, she could think of only one thing…and one thing alone, her kind and sweet Fili, who would never have treated her this way.

"FILI!" she screamed out loud, her voice breaking as it dissolved into a choking sob.

At that very moment, Fili came bursting into the slave-house, ignoring all else but his ultimate destination. It only took seconds to determine where Detlef had Kara, for there was only one room that had the door closed, and it didn't stay that way for long. With one powerful kick, the bar across it was shattered and the door swung open, nearly knocked from its hinges. When Fili saw the large red-bearded man straddling a struggling figure on the bed, the rage in his mind eclipsed all rational thought. Yet it was the sound of Kara screaming his name, calling to him for help, that drove him into action.

Grabbing Detlef by the back of his tunic, he ripped him off of Kara, throwing him to the floor as he pounced on him, striking the man over and over with his fists. Unfortunately, after a few blows, the startled Viking regained his senses and began to fight back, reaching up as he wrapped his hands around Fili's neck, attempting to squeeze the life out of him. When that didn't stop the blond's rage, he brought his head up quickly, their skulls slamming together, stunning Fili just long enough for Detlef to shove him off and roll out of his reach.

It didn't take but a moment for Fili to be up and on the attack once again, the fire in his veins giving him more strength than normal. Detlef now appeared concerned, and he stumbled back, attempting to catch his breath before having to defend himself once more. Yet, Fili spared him no reprieve.

"I will kill you!" Fili shouted, slamming into him with his whole body, taking all the air out of his lungs and forcing him against the wall. "You had no right to touch her! She is my woman!"

"But she should have been mine!" Detlef growled in defense. "You only got her because you are the Jarl's heir and could afford to outbid me. You only wanted to humiliate me…just like she did!" With that he slammed his fist into Fili's gut, causing him to double over and leaving him exposed to another strike.

Thankfully, Fili's quick reflexes allowed him to evade the hit, and using Detlef's momentum against him, he grabbed his arm as it came by his face and yanked it even harder, sending him to the floor once again. This time, Fili held nothing back, and beat the man near unconscious with his fists, keeping up his blows until he felt a pair of hands grabbing him and pulling him back.

"FILI, STOP!" Kili yelled, at last getting through to his enraged brother. "He's out! Leave him be, or you'll kill him for sure."

"He deserves to die!" Fili growled, struggling against his brother's hold. "He had no right!"

"No, he didn't, but you can't go killing him in cold blood," Kili reasoned. "Leave him to Thorin…he will be tried for his crime. I'll handle Detlef…Kara is the one who needs you now."

This time, his words got through to Fili's rage filled brain, and he turned, his eyes falling on his precious little raven huddled against the wall at the head of the bed, her legs pulled up against her chest and her hands grasping the torn garment around her as best she could. Leaping to his feet, Fili rushed to her side, reaching out his hand to touch her tearstained cheek. She flinched at the contact, but her eyes were shut tight, and she was shaking violently.

"Kara…open your eyes, love," he begged, looking her over in search of any wounds or sign of blood. Seeing none, he continued rubbing her cheek and speaking to her in a desperate voice. "Kara…can you hear me? Please look at me, you're safe now…I'm here…no one will hurt you."

It felt like forever, but slowly Kara opened her eyes, yet she seemed unable to focus on the face before her, pulling back even farther as if she believed it was still Detlef there hovering above her. Yet, as Fili continued to speak, and she recognized his voice, her body went limp, though her sobs and tears intensified.

"Fili?" she cried, doing her best to reach out and wrap her arms around him, wishing to be safe in his embrace. Yet, her limbs still felt like dead weight and she didn't have the strength to do much more than weep.

"Yes, Kara…it's me…I'm here," he assured her, reaching out as he brushed her hair from her face. "Everything is fine now…Detlef won't hurt you again, I promise." At first he had feared he had come too late, that the vile man might have already violated her, but the fact that he still wore his trousers, and Kara's dress had not been bunched up around her waist had put his mind somewhat at ease. It tore at his heart to think of what might have happened if he had come only minutes later. "I'm going to get you out of here now, so just relax…you're safe."

And Kara did feel safe, which was in itself odd, since she had spent the last two weeks in a state of constant worry. Yet, as Fili reached out and took the edges of the blanket she was sitting on, and wrapped her up in a cocoon of wool, she didn't protest one bit. Scooping her up, Fili held her against him like he would cradle a babe, speaking softly as he carried her from the room and out the front door. As he passed, he saw that Kili had Detlef trussed up, and was forcing the dazed man to his feet, apparently taking him to the meeting house where he would be judged for his criminal acts.

When Fili stepped out into the daylight, he could see that a large crowd had formed, having seen the two brothers racing through the streets and heard the commotion coming from within the slave-house. The spectators parted as Fili exited, giving him room to make his way between them as they watched with wide eyes. Kara had her face buried in his shoulder, not wanting to look at anyone, or for anyone to look at her. She was both traumatized and frightened, and all she wished for was to be alone and safe within Fili's room…and his arms.

"What is going on here?" came the deep booming voice of Jarl Thorin, storming into the sea of people with Dwalin right behind him. Yet when he caught sight of Fili walking towards him, he stopped, a look of concern touching his face. "Fili?"

"It was Detlef…he attacked Kara!" Fili fumed, his usually kind features twisted with hate. "I demand retribution! I want his life for this!"

"Is the girl injured?" Thorin asked, ignoring his nephew's murderous demands and looked at the shaking woman in his arms. "Did he…"

"Thankfully no," Fili assured him. "Melind ran and found me just in time. But he tried to violate her…he touched what is mine, and I demand his blood!"

"We'll deal with that later, where is Detlef now?" Thorin asked.

"Inside…Kili is seeing to him," Fili responded with a jerk of his head.

Thorin then signaled for Dwalin to go aid the younger man, before looking over at the blonde thrall silently weeping only a few steps behind Fili.

"You…go fetch Oin and bring him to my longhouse," Thorin ordered, watching as Melind darted off, eager to be of help. He then turned and made a path for Fili to follow, knowing that it was best they get the frightened girl out of the public eye. It took very little time for them to reach their home, with Thorin holding the doors open for his nephew to bring the girl inside.

The Jarl had never given the thralls of Erebor much thought, only noticing them if they failed to do their assigned duty…but this one, well she had managed to grow on him, even if only a little. Her feisty spirit and bravery at standing up to his sister had earned her a measure of respect from him, and he hated to see her now looking so frail.

"Where did you take off to so quickly?" Dis demanded, too busy tending to the fire to turn around as the two men entered the house. "I stepped out to toss the dish water, and when I came back you two were gone…and you didn't even bother to shut the door!" Yet, when she looked in their direction, spying the shaking Kara in Fili's arms, she instantly rushed to his side, a look of true concern on her face as she stared at the girl. "What happened to her?"

"Detlef!" Fili answered, that one word saying it all.

"Freya have mercy!" Dis gasped, steering her son to one of the large fur covered chairs by the fire. "Is she all right?"

"I don't know," Fili answered.

"I have sent for Oin," Thorin told his sister, touched by her obvious concern. It was odd, but nice, to see her so worried over the woman who only days ago she attempted to kill.

"Kara…can you please tell me if you're hurt and where," Fili whispered, having taken a seat but kept her snuggly on his lap, his arms still holding her gently.

"My…my head…" she began, doing her best to focus on his words. There was still a ringing in her ears, and even though it was slowly fading, it felt like someone was inside her skull pounding with a large hammer. She raised her hand and touched the spot that hurt the most, wincing at the slightest pressure.

"Here, let me take a look," Fili told her, helping her sit up straighter as he moved to examine the back of her head.

"Fili…you have blood on you!" Dis pointed out when his left arm was exposed. "Are you injured?"

"I…I don't think so," Fili said in confusion. His hands were bruised and bloodied from where he had struck Detlef, but he hadn't thought he had been cut or stabbed. Yet as he looked down, he could see that his forearm was indeed covered in blood. It was then that he realized that the blanket he had wrapped her in was also stained red. "Kara…what happened to your back?" At this he eased the blanket down, exposing the cut that Detlef had given her, making her take in a sharp breath when the fabric was peeled away. "Where is Oin? We need him here now!"

As if on cue, the older man opened the door and stepped inside, followed by a still worried looking Melind.

"I hear you have need of me," he said, scanning the room with his weathered eyes, looking for his patient.

"Over here," Dis nodded, gesturing to Kara. "She has a long cut on her back and a bad bump on her head."

"Let me take a look," Oin hummed, stepping over and reaching out to touch the girl. Yet when he did, she screamed and pulled back, burying her face in Fili's chest as she began to panic.

"NO! Don't let him touch me!" she begged, having had far too much trauma to allow another strange male near her. "Please Fili…no!"

"Shhhh, it's all right, Kara," he said in a soothing tone. "Oin is a healer, he can help you."

"No…no….please no…" she sobbed, her grip on Fili's tunic strong as iron.

"Here, let me take your bag, Oin, and I will tend to her myself," Dis said, understanding Kara's reluctance to let a man near her so soon. "Fili…carry her up to your room. I will care for her there."

"May I help?" Melind asked, concern etched on her face.

"Yes, get some warm water from the kitchen, a bowl, and some clean cloth, then bring it upstairs," Dis ordered, watching as Melind hurried to comply.

"After you get her settled, come back down, Fili," Thorin commanded. "I will need you there when I deal with Detlef."

"I want him dead, Uncle! I want to kill him for what he's done!" Fili growled, yet lowered his voice when Kara flinched at his harsh tone.

"Take her up…then we will talk about his punishment," Thorin stated firmly.

"Yes, Uncle," Fili nodded, knowing that having Kara hear his violent plans for the man was not helping her state of mind. So lifting her in his arms once more, but this time being more careful with her wounded back, he carried her up the stairs, laying her on his bed while his mother hovered attentively. "Please, mother…take care of her," he all but begged.

"I will, my son…you have my word," Dis assured him, patting him on the shoulder as she shooed him from the room.

Fili nearly collided with Melind as she came up the stairs, the items Dis had sent her to collect held in her shaking hands. The blond warrior stopped her, taking hold of her arm as he gave her a smile of gratitude.

"Thank you for what you did…for coming to get me," he told her sincerely.

"Kara is my friend. She would have done no less for me," Melind assured him.

"Yet, I am still grateful," Fili said, nodding his head as he released her, urging her on her way.

"Fili…come," Thorin called from below, eager to get this business settled. It angered him that one of his citizens would have dared such a thing against his nephew's thrall. And he could tell by the fire in Fili's eyes, that he was not about to let this slide. Still, no matter his feelings on the matter, Thorin knew he would have to abide by the law…he was Jarl and he could not show partiality. No matter how much he wanted to.

Oh boy...Detlef is in for a world of hurt now. Fili wants blood!

And look...Fili came to her rescue and he saved her. What a sweetie pie. I think someone is going to be very grateful to her man for such an act.

But poor Kara, she got an ouchie...thankfully, that was the worst she left with.

Guest Reviews:

abc: First of all, good for you for finding a way to use "Winter nut"! Perfectly played. And Fili better hurry up, right? Oh, look...he did! You were right, it was Detlef...I mean, who else could it be? I only have written in one bad guy so far...well, Edmond kind of sucks too, but there was no way it could have been him. ha ha. Melind is a good friend to help Kara reason on things...and as you just read, she helped save her as well. So double points for her. Thanks!