Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

A/N: Hullo, how are all of you? Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate all the input you have given me. I love reviews! I'm not real sure how I am going to continue this story, so bear with me. I am having some hard times, so my angst will be poured out in this story. Thxns, Jo.

Forgive, that an awful big word for such a small man,

And I'm not sure I can.

'Cause I don't even know now who I am.

It's too soon for me to say, "forgive."

-Rebecca Lynn Howard

Chapter One

He pulled back and roared in pain. He picked up the whip; he raised it high and brought it down, time and time again. I thought I was going to die. I saw him raise it again, I thought I was going to die, but the expected blow never came. "Smitty, stop! You have done quiet enough. No need mar a pretty face. She must be in prime condition for the auction. We have only a few days till then. She shall not be harmed in anyway till then, is that understood?" The man called Smitty gave a mumbled yes. The man who had saved me was the one who had originally captured me. I hated him, but I was also thankful. They all laid down and went to sleep. My tormentor tied my hands and feet back together. I tried to get comfortable, but the tree roots kept digging into my back. I thought of escape, but I was to weak, not just physically, but my spirit was also weary. Elves could not live long without being free. I finally drifted off; relief did not come with sleep. The slavers tormented my dreams also. I could feel the sting of the whip as it tore the flesh from me. I screamed out in agony. I awoke abruptly, my face stung. I guess I had screamed, and the one called Smitty had slapped me.

"Shut up, Elf. You got a name, Elf?" I stared at him. What would he do if I gave him my name? Would he hit me again? "I asked you a question, Elf! Now answer me." He slapped me again.

"Lathtobeth." I said.

"I told you not to talk!" His hand came at me again. I was now wise enough to move. He must have anticipated this, for he still hit me. "You think you so smat huh? I'd don' think so." He almost hit me again. Then a voice came through the darkness.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Smitty." It was the boy. "My father would not be pleased if you messed her up before we reached market. I wouldn't want you to have to pay for her. You wouldn't want to do that, would you?"

"Why you...." Smitty stopped, knowing it would be worse for him if he finished. "You be careful, insolent young pup. You got a lot to learn," growled Smitty. He stomped back to where he was sleeping and rolled up into his blanket. I lay back down. I remember wishing I had a blanket, for the days had grown cool. I lay there shivering for over an hour, then I hear someone walking my way. I pretended to be asleep. I felt a blanket gently thrown over me. I looked up, it was the boy again.

I whispered, "Thank you."

He smiled at me. "It's nothing much." He looked around. "I better get back, they will be waking soon." Then he left, with very little sound. He was almost as graceful as an Elf.

I drifted in and out of sleep till morning. My waking moments were ones of agony; my sleeping ones were no better. I dreamt of Celebrian, and my lost youth. The way I was awoke was by a sharp kick in the side.

"Get up." Smitty hauled my up by my hair, which was becoming tangled. "Get over there." He shoved my toward their leader.

"Lay down." The leader demanded. I quickly, well, I did it was fast as I could manage. Smitty, the kind soul. I mean that with as much sarcasm and hatred as I can muster. For it is not my nature to hate. He helped me, by kicking my back. He did receive a sharp look for it though. I was nervous, what were they going to do? Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rathnocane, the leader, take something out of a leather pouch and give it to one of his men. He put it in a bowl and poured a little warm water in with it, and mashed it up. He undid the back of my dress, and began to spread the substance over my wounds. It stung, but felt refreshing. I wanted to know what plant it was from, for I was renown for my love of medicines and healing powers. "It is called Athelas, it grows far away from here, near Imladris." It was as if he could read what I was thinking. "I'm called Ararion, what's your name?"

"Why would you want to know?" Hatred iced my voice.

He gave me a sad sort of smile. It reflected an inner sadness, one he let no one see. I looked up into his eyes. I knew I could find what I was looking for there. They held a warmth, a compassion. I scorned his compassion, I didn't trust him. I am certainly glad I didn't.

"I envy you."

"What? You said what?"

"I envy you, you have such strength. I don't. If I did I wouldn't be here now." He rambled on about how he wished he could stand up for what he believed. I could tell he respected the elvish people. I don't know why I didn't trust him, maybe it was because I didn't trust any mortal, I don't know. When he finished he didn't button up the back of my dress, instead he left it undone.

"Button it back up." Oh, what a spoiled little thing I was.

"No," he said, a grin pulling on the corners of his mouth.

"Yes, now button it up. I won't go around..."

He interrupted me. "Here." He shoved some ruff feeling clothing into my hands. "Now go change." I walked into the brush and unfolded the clothes. Trousers! I couldn't believe it. They expected me to wear trousers! I stood still. There was nothing else for me to do, so I put the trousers on. It was difficult for me, I had never dressed myself. My maids had always done it for me. I was about to walk about when, I heard voices talking.

"She wouldn't tell you anything?"

"No, nothing. I can't understand it. They've always trusted me before."

"You must be losing your touch, Ararion. I will have to fire you if you don't get it back soon. You are no good to me otherwise."

"I'm the only reason you succeed in your dirty trade! One of the other slaves must have run away, or been set free. She wanted to tell me, but she didn't. I just can't understand." My breath caught. He had been lying. I was in shock.

"Come 'ere you!" Smiley grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the brush. "So, 'e got a 'ittle eves dropped, eh? We' show you'n really good what happens to them kinds." He took out his whip, I cowered in fear. Not in fear of him, but of death.

"Smiley, we're moving out. Get her." I breathed a sigh of relief, even if it was only temporary. My hands were bound, the noose was put around my neck to secure me, and the rope was tied to Smiley's saddle horn.

"Get along!" He pulled the rope and I tripped, but recovered quickly. We traveled for about five hours till they stopped for lunch. I didn't hesitate to fix them lunch, I didn't want to get flogged, again. It was a fast lunch, then we started off again. Smiley found it humorous to tug on the rope from time to time. I could feel it grinding into my skin, it burned.

When we finally stopped for the night I was tired. My feet ached, I could hardly move. I had to move slowly, but Smiley didn't like that much. After he ate and I devoured my meager fare. He lashed me to a near by tree, and took out his whip, again. He fell upon me with no mercy, I cried out in pain, that only fueled his passion. I felt it cutting into me, tearing off strips of my skin. Just when I thought I could take more, he started in with a new relish.

Just before I passed out from pain I heard someone shout. "No! Stop! You have to stop him, he'll kill her!"

A/N: Um, how do you like it so far? Who cried out, Ararion, the boy, who? Thanks for the kind reviews! I love them. I love constructive critics, they are the best. I know that this chapter is in the medium range, not long but not short either. More reviews, PLEASE!