Restoration II: The Story Continues ...
by Fianna
Hugs to all who follow me, thank you so much.
Fianna
Chapter Nine
The first sight of Mirkwood made Eria shiver, the forest dark and mysterious, much like rumors of Lorien of old. She sighed at the thought of what had been, and refused to be deterred by the gloom of the woods ahead. Orophin helped her over a large rock, eyes searching all the while, almost as if he wasn't even paying attention.
Though she knew otherwise. To test her theory she stumbled and found his hand on her elbow to hold her up.
"Careful."
"What is wrong, you aren't really paying attention," Eria whispered, glancing around at the shadows.
"One never knows here, although we have Tauriel, I don't trust Thranduil's moods."
"So you feel danger from the King?" Eria gaped at Orophin as he turned away.
Tauriel snorted as she walked past. "I've told him not to worry, we are fully welcome, but he doesn't believe me."
Following Tauriel, Rowen grinned and shrugged. "It's that male thing. If it had been Haldir you could be sure Thranduil would have some snag waiting. Not sure with Orophin yet."
Eria rubbed her brow, such politics were too much. Would Thranduil be so petty? Or was it something else? She didn't know or really care. She just wanted the journey to be over, to look the elf in the eye and see if there was still something there, or ever had been. Once again her thoughts shifted to a darker side, worry that she'd imagined it all made her stop, rubbing her brow again.
Rowen turned around and walked back to grasp her arm. "Stop it. You did not imagine it."
"I can't help it. What if he won't see me?"
"Then we'll think of a way to counteract that choice." Rowen squeezed her shoulder. "We won't let him get off easy. Come now, think of how much fun that would be."
Eria laughed in agreement, the shadows of worry fleeing at the thought. "You're right. It's all in the challenge, isn't it?"
"It's what drew you in the beginning, wasn't it? The thought that such an elf might look at you with interest, if also with irritation. But emotion is still emotion, however it is. To get something from an elf like Thranduil is promising, for he holds it all at bay behind a very tall and thick wall of protection."
Eria caught Rowen's arm to pull her to a stop. "Can I get through, truly, Rowen? Why does he hide so?"
"I can't say, I only feel it, Eria." Rowen glanced at the elves ahead. "Even Orophin shields himself at times, Haldir always does, almost unconciously. It's a protection, you know. They don't like emotions, it makes them feel vulnerable and for those kind of elves, that's worse than anything. They'd rather be stabbed with an arrow than to feel such an emotion."
"But love, what is wrong with love?"
Rowen smiled, a faint curve of her lips. "Nothing, once you get past the wall. Unless you are threatened, then love will make them crazy. But its a chance they will realize they will take. Allowing me to come here, to be away from him was very difficult for Haldir. Especially since we are not bonded, he cannot sense me or know how I am. It's only through Orophin that he gains any comfort."
They resumed walking. Eria sighed, rubbing her arms. "Perhaps it would have been worse, if you were bonded?"
"I don't know." Rowen shrugged. "If it's meant to be, it will happen. I won't push him, he's had too many things change, to many things he can't control. I won't add to that. Not yet."
"But what..."
Rowen sent Eria a suddenly worried glance. "Don't say it. It's enough that it's in the back of my mind. I will take each day I get. That's all."
"Good advice. If I get that far," Eria agreed grimly. "And I will. I won't take no for an answer."
"That's the spirit!" Rowen laughed, cheerful despite her clear worry. "The gloom of this forest!" She waved a hand at the surrounding shadows. "Even without the spiders this is not a pretty place. The trees are old, but they are harmless. They wish only to sleep now. We are safe for the most part."
Eria lifted a brow, looked around nervously. "For the most part?"
Rowen waved ahead toward where Orophin and Tauriel were stopped, talking animatedly. "Safe from the forest, but not perhaps from Thranduil and his plans."
o0o
Esteri thought about throwing herself into the water a moment or two after being tossed onto a pile of ropes and canvas. Sweeney shoved off from shore, taking advantage and stealing the two men's boat to ply the oars into the choppy waves. The rolling tossed her about, bringing a tinge of nausea, an uncommon feeling and one she fought hard to control.
Being tied would make swimming difficult, and the with the rough waters of the lake, not an enticing idea so she put that aside for later. Something would come about, she was sure, and when she did get free of Sweeney's bonds, she was going to ...
"I am sure you are thinking of all the ways to torture me, but I just want you to know we aren't going too far. The lake is too rough with the storm brewing." Sweeney stretched out as he rowed, arms plying the oars with an ease Esteri didn't want to note.
She could only glare, probably useless in the gloomy dark, for surely the man couldn't see as well as she could, being only half elf. She grunted, mouth still bound with the gag, another point on her list of atrocities he would pay for.
The boat bounced over the waves, Sweeney working hard to guide it where he wanted, water splashing over the side at times as he turned it against the waves back to shore. Leaping out after a few moments made her wish he'd misjudged the depth and might drown, but the water only came to his hips as he dragged the boat through the water. The hull ground onto a stony shore, and then Sweeney lifted Esteri from her bed of ropes to his shoulder again, grunting in annoyance at being carried.
She couldn't see, her hair shielded most of her gaze, only the rocky ground of the shore was visible, his legs, the tall leather of his boots to the knee, and the thin linen of his pants. Her blows to his back did not seem to deter him, only caused him to grasp her thigh in an intimate grip that made the breath hitch in her chest, eyes wide at how close his fingers were to parts she'd rather he did not go near.
Did he even notice? Did he even care? She closed her eyes, tried to ignore the heat from the feel of his fingers on her thigh, the tightness of his grip. He held her so easily, the shoulder broad beneath her belly. How easily he had gained control still frustrated her.
He set her abruptly on her feet, wobbly from the sudden change, startled by the faint nausea that made her stumble. He caught her arm, not looking as he did, but rather at the rocks ahead. "I know there is a small cave here, ah, there it is."
He pulled her with him, grip hard on her arm, distracted but always aware of her. Esteri clamped her teeth on the gag, unable to do anything but follow.
It took a few moments to get to the cave, climbing over several tall rocks, and then finally squeezing through a narrow opening shielded by a large bush. Amazed, if unwillingly, at how the man had found it.
Sweeney pushed her to the ground and then leaned over her, eyes bright with mischief. "Here, let's get rid of this. You can scream now if you'd like, if only to let off a bit of frustration." He pulled the cloth from her mouth, lifted a brow as she glared at him. Scream? That would do little to make her feel better. Besides, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of being right.
He shrugged and shifted, untying a water bottle from his hip. "Take a drink, I am sure you need it."
She accepted the water, if only because she was terribly thirsty, taking a drink and then one which she spat back at him before he could move away. He wiped the water from his cheek with a sigh.
"I knew you'd do that. Do you feel better now?"
"Not until I kill you."
He smiled and pulled a dagger from his belt. "With this?" He leaned close and lifted her wrists, slitting the rope between to free her. "Go ahead and try." He held out the knife, hilt first with a grin.
Esteri was tempted, oh so tempted. She stared at the knife, thought of so many ways she'd like to use it and then shoved his hand aside. "I need a moment alone."
"Of course. The cave is rather shallow, there's no other entrance but the one at the front. I'll step outside if you like." He straightened, unable to fully stand and stepped out into the night, illuminated by a brief shaft of lightning.
Esteri sat for a minute and rubbed her wrists. Even though the hithlain had not been tight, her wrists still ached from being tied. She rolled to her feet and moved to the back of the cave. Sliding her hands over the walls proved he was right. She sighed and turned back to the entrance. A faint glow showed where the entrance was. Sweeney must have moved further away. Was he tempting her yet again? If she moved outside would he be there to take her in hand? She didn't want to be tied up again. Escape would be easier if she was free.
She moved carefully to the entrance and looked outside. She couldn't see him, yet knew he wasn't far. She stepped outside, hands pressed against the stone wall, wind lifted strands of her hair into her face.
"One of the reasons why I don't wear my hair long," Sweeney said casually.
Esteri turned slowly, looking up behind her. Sweeney sat on the hill above the cave entrance, crouched amid the rocks, well able to leap should she try to flee.
"I assumed it was more to avoid looking like an elf."
"That too," he agreed.
She shoved the offending strands from her cheek, glancing around. "How did you find this?"
"I've traveled a lot. Such places are always good to remember."
"So you've been here before?"
"A long time ago, seems like a different lifetime."
She frowned, moved another step away.
"You might get a few steps ahead." Sweeney flipped his knife between his fingers, looked down the length of the blade at her. Lightning flashed again, illuminating his face, the grim look in his eyes.
"You won't kill me."
"No, but there is worse."
She stared at him, stiffened in concern as ideas flooded her mind.
"Don't worry, I don't intend on doing any of those."
"How do you know what I am thinking? You have no idea."
He grinned, the knife moving over his fingers effortlessly. "I have ideas, trust me, but probably not quite what you were thinking." He paused, lifting the blade to scratch at his cheek. "Or maybe you were."
She scowled and turned away from the suddenly intent gaze. "I still need a moment."
"You can hide behind that rock. I can still see most of you, so it's not complete privacy, but enough to do what I am sure you need to do. I've got a bit of food left in my pack. We'll leave at first light. Enjoy your freedom, I'll have to tie you up again in the morning."
She moved behind the rock, did what she had to, thinking furiously all the while. "Why tie me up again? Maybe I'll promise not to flee."
"No, I won't believe that. First chance and you'll be gone. How well do you swim? Are you going to try to hit me over the head and feed me to the fish like you promised? No, I need you tied, serves my purpose better. Angry makes you look really pretty, makes your eyes sparkle."
She walked around the rock to glare at him. "What do you want with me?"
"I need access to the darker side of Dale. Having you as my hostage, and possible sale, gives me that access."
"I will tell them you are with Thranduil."
"Which is why you'll be gagged again."
"I won't let you do it."
He leaned forward. "You'll try to stop me. But already I've proven I can catch you, I can overpower you, I can do much more."
She blinked at him, debating her chances. Decided any attempt was better than none.
She got five steps away, just enough she thought maybe she'd have a chance, leaping from rock to rock, feet sure on the uneven terrain, gaze set to the edge of the trees ahead. If she could just get there, the shadows would make it difficult for him to see.
She leaped over one more rock, felt her feet touch for a second before he caught her around the waist and tackled her onto the ground. They rolled several times as she fought, snarling and scratching until he pinned her flat, arms outstretched, his body pressed hard against hers.
That he was breathing heavily both pleased and concerned her. That he was growing aroused made her sweat even more, his head bent to hers, lips only a fraction from her ear. He laughed low, a sound that send a shiver of something nameless down her back, tightened the insides of her thighs, made her close her eyes to avoid the sudden gleam in his.
"I told you."
"Get off me." Esteri couldn't breath, and it wasn't from his weight. She should hate this man, should not be feeling a need to press her body to his.
"We are on rocky ground, I know." Sweeney breathed in, shifted with wry grunt of amusement. "Sorry, can't control some things. You are remarkably attractive to me even when you glare so."
"Sauron take you," Esteri hissed. "I hate you."
He sighed, pressed his lips to her ear. "I know. Damnably sad to know too. We could be really good together, Esteri. You should give me a chance."
"Never."
"It's a long time. I'm half-elven, so I'll live awhile yet. We've got time."
"Touch me in that way and I'll cut you in two."
"Ouch, sounds painful. But I won't press. Now's not the time and I don't do that kind of thing without consent. You can believe that or not. But I won't let you get away. I might steal a kiss or two." He grinned when she shifted her face away. "And I'll do what I've been asked to do."
"So Thranduil "is" behind this!"
"Thranduil is behind many things, true."
"Curse you, let me up."
He shifted to his knees, but held her wrists, leaning over her. "I will let you up. And leave you untied for the night. I am half-elven, I don't need much sleep so don't think to sneak out. I have as many abilities that you do, and few others you might not know, since you avoid men and their like."
She sniffed at the thought, but sent him an appraising glance from the corner of her eye. Grunted faintly when he pulled her to her feet.
He was strong, lithe, an elf if one knew what to see. But what else? He waved her toward the cave, pushed her gently in the back to prod her forward. What were those other traits?
She glanced behind her, but saw little. The thought worried her more than she liked.
0o0
