Warnings: Violence and non-consensual themes.
Merry reached for the doorknob, turned it, and kicked open the door. Firelight glimmered in the room, illuminating the men and casting their shadows over the wall. Four of the men were sitting near the fireplace while the other was positioned over the bed, holding something down. Merry recognized the man with ebony hair. All the men raised their heads at the intrusion giving Merry a clear view of the person underneath the man. The hobbit was Sam and his cheeks were rosy in pale shimmering light, trails of tears streaming down. His short had been torn open and one of the man's hands was griping at Sam's trousers, nearly pulling them down. The man pinning him smirked and rose off the bed, giving Sam a clear chance to run. Merry voiced for him to stop but Sam was too far off the bed to hear his words. The man dug his fingers into Sam's curls and pulled him back before he could get away, covering the hobbit's mouth with his hand.
"What's this all about?" the man snarled. "This is a private room and I do not appreciate people just barging in."
"You know what this is about scoundrel," Merry hissed. "I believe that is my friend, who are you are holding against his will. Release him at once or suffer the consequences. I will not tolerate any heinous acts being committed upon him."
"The name is Ralof, not scoundrel, little halfling," the man scowled. "Furthermore, there is nothing scandalous taking place here. The hobbit is here of his own free will. How could I hurt such a pretty thing?"
"He doesn't appear to be too happy with your ministrations," Milo said. "Let him speak. Remove your hand from his mouth."
Ralof's smile faded. "This matter is none of your concern. I think it would be wise if you left at once," a wicked gleam growing, "or you will be the ones to suffer. Do you actually expect to fight? I am three times your size not mention there are only two of you and five of us."
"That may be for the mean time anyway," Merry replied. "All ready the owner of this inn is being informed of your activities and more men will come here, to aid us. I suggest that you leave immediately or I will kill you if you insist on fighting." He smirked at the man. "I only wish to fight you because you seem to be the only one molesting my friend at the moment but if you're that insecure about fighting me then by all means use the other four men."
Ralof's lips curled in a fierce snarl. He shoved Sam aside into the arms of two awaiting men, who began to carry him to the side door.
"None of that!" Milo shouted. "You two stay in place where I can keep an eye on you or you shall be the next to fall!"
The men stopped, taken back at the command of the hobbit's voice. Ralof turned to them and ordered them to keep moving but they refused, seeming to sense something about the two hobbits he could not. The man then spoke something in a foreign tongue and the others nodded. Letting out another snarl Ralof drew out a dagger from his boot and lunged for Merry. The hobbit weaved to the side, only losing a shred of his shirt to the slashing blade. Merry whipped around and drove his steel blade into the back of Ralof's thigh, causing the man to yelp. Driven on pain, the man spun around and slammed the butt end of the blade across Merry's right cheek. The hobbit spiraled out of control due to the sheer force of the blow until he crashed into the wall and slid down to the floor. When he regained his composure he felt a hand wrap around his throat, squeezing tightly while the other traced the tip of the blade over his belly.
"Bad move halfling," Ralof chuckled. "When will you and your kind ever learn that you are no match for men? I was going to make the night nice and pleasurable for your friend over there but due to you I think I will make things more difficult and painful for him. I doubt he'll ever walk again once I finished, considering if he lives after tonight. Who knows, my men might want a try at him."
Merry screeched, finding he still held his sword, and drove into the side of Ralof's abdomen. The man choked, eyes wide in shock at the wound gushing blood below him. He glared back up at Merry and rose his dagger over Merry's chest, intent on piercing the heart. Ralof's entire body shuddered and fell to the side. Merry gazed up to find Milo hovering over him, holding a sword mid-way in the air with blood dribbling down.
"You all right?" Milo asked.
"Except for a few bruises I am fine," Merry replied. "What of the other men?" He turned around to find the other men had deserted, taking Sam with them. "Why would they leave?" The answer was found in the doorway. Brandel was emerging into the room followed by several other men and hobbits. "Good to see help finally arrived, however late."
"I'm sorry Merry but I couldn't stop the other men," Milo said. "I saw them drag Sam out and attempted to run after them but I saw you fall and I just couldn't leave you behind."
"I understand," Merry said.
"What has happened here?" Brandel asked.
"There's no time for that now," Merry said. "I must find Sam."
"Merry, wait, don't go alone!" Milo called after him.
Ralof laughed behind them. "He'll never reach his friend in time."
"What are you talking about?!" Milo asked, raising the blade threateningly.
The man smiled, bearing red teeth. "That little speech that you couldn't understand, I basically told them to dump the hobbit in the river while I kept you two distracted. After all, hobbits can't swim. If I'm going down I'm taking at least one of you with me."
Milo gazed out the open door in fright and ran outside, catching a glimpse of Merry in the distance. He took off after him, ignoring the men and hobbits shouting for him to come back.
Merry was glancing madly at the ground, following the fresh trails of tracks left in the mud. Lifting his head he could see the outline of four figures in the moonlight near the flowing stream. He cried out when he noticed that one of the forms was thrown in. The hobbit dashed toward the riverbank and when the other men noticed his approach they ran off into the woods. Merry caught a glimpse of Sam struggling in the flowing current, heading further and further away. The hobbit sank beneath the water and Merry dove in after him.
More to follow.