Torfindel stumbled into the hut, propelled by a kick from behind and tumbled onto its dirt floor. The others filed in after him, Zorro muttering imprecations and threats against their guards. Torfindel glanced around him as the door to their cell was locked with a loud click in the silence. The only noise apart from their breathing was the bustle of activity coming from the compound outside. The hut itself was a filthy, cobwebbed brick shed, crumbling but serviceable. There were no windows; the only light filtering through the bars of a grill set in their flimsy prison door. Set against any breakout though, were at least four guards, their voices filtering through into the cell. Torfindel heard one of them snigger.
The others had sat or knelt down on the packed earth floor, and where staring numbly around them, but Torfindel continued to prowl around the hut. He prodded the wall for holes, however small, and despite the gloom his Elven eyes scoured the roof looking for a weak spot. Whatever Pretzel wanted to see them about badly enough to go against time honoured Hobbit custom Torfindel did not want to find out about at all.
"Knock it off boss, there ain't nothing. Those walls are sound," advised the gravelly voice of Zorro.
Ieannia, whose Elven senses were as keen as Torfindel's nodded her agreement.
Torfindel shook his head. Always a go-getter he found he simply couldn't sit and wait for their meeting with the Gangmaster. He feared it would drive him mad with frustration. Right now he needed to keep his mind occupied, even if it was just with the illusion of doing something.
"I'm going to ask the guards when we'll see the king Munchkin," he announced abruptly.
He strode over to the door and put his face up to the grill. But before he could open his mouth a spear butt crashed through the grill and struck him in the mouth. He crumpled down against the door clutching at his jaw with both hands. He felt the taste of bronze in his mouth. The others winced in sympathy, except for Urg who simply stared dumbly and rubbed his doll.
"Boss said no talking to the prisoners Elf," the voice of the leader of the guards called out "Seems to think your Bard might be a bit too persuasive. That was just a warning. Next time we'll fire a bolt through, understand? And don't try anything with magic either. We've got a priest here with us can tell that sort of thing, ain't that right Grot?"
More sniggers sounded from behind the door, clear at the cleric's expense.
Torfindel crawled away from the door until he was beyond the range of the punishing spear. What in blazes had happened to his face? He staggered over to Carmina and gestured at himself. Understanding his mute question she hastened to reassure him.
"You're fine. Just a split lip that's all," she said "There wasn't to much force behind it. Here, look,"
She fumbled in her belt pouch and pulled out a small hand mirror. Eagerly taking it from her outstretched hand he held it up in front of him and breathed a silent sigh of relief. Carmina was right. He wasn't missing any teeth, although one looked a bit loose. He prodded it with his tongue and felt it move slightly.
"Typical Torfindel," said Ieannia acidly "Here we sit in mortal danger all thanks to our great leader, and what is he doing? He's looking in a mirror admiring himself as usual."
Torfindel felt a stab of guilt at her remark. It was his fault they were here. But the way in which it was put. That made him angry. He already wanted to lash out at something, anything, to end the feeling of helplessness in him anyway. Ieannia had just made herself a target.
"Just checking my face Ieannia," he smirked "I want to make sure I look my best for when your period's over. Only another six months. I notice you've been keeping yourself in trim for me."
Urg and Zorro sniggered as Ieannia turned scarlet, and her ears lay back. Even Carmina smiled.
"You… arrogant pig!" she exclaimed in a disbelieving tone of voice. The conservative Sindarians had always been recitient on sexual matters compare to the Noldor. Unable to think of a suitable expression of disgust she lifted her hand intent on slapping him, but saw his injured face. Changing her mind, she tore the mirror out of his hand and dashed it on the floor instead, to Carmina's horrified shriek.
"Sleep with the half-breed animal!" she stormed, then stalked off to brood in the corner with her back to Torfindel.
Her eyes avoided the sight of Carmina crying and scrabbling on the floor after the fragments of her mirror. Torfindel sat down rather heavily, slightly stunned. Carmina huddled down beside him holding the remains of her mirror protectively and glaring accusingly Ieannia's back.
An uncomfortable silence descended across the room for the next half an hour. Then Ieannia turned around and shuffled over to Carmina. She hung her head, her hair let loose and forming a curtain from the others, she held out a hand to Carmina.
"M'm sorry," she whispered.
The Half-Drow reached up and parted the curtain of hair. Whatever she saw in Ieannia's face must have convinced her because the others saw her nod.
"It's okay," she said gently.
Ieannia sat down next to her again. The tension in the room lessened slightly. Zorro squirmed uncomfortably.
"So," he said brightly "What does we do now?"
Torfindel glanced around their drab cell.
"We wait."