Things have been awful hectic in my life lately. Here's the next part. Glad that you're all enjoying it!!
Chapter 18--Punishment and Plotting
The sun shining in his face awaked Legolas. He stretched luxuriously then remembered. He looked over his shoulder and was relieved to see that Deirdre wasn't there. He got up slowly and looked for his leggings. They were gone, but some of the plain clothes from his pack lay on a chair. Legolas sighed and got dressed. He would have loved a bath, but it was obvious that was not going to be offered. He had just finished when Deirdre walked in.
"Good morning, Legolas. Sorry I did not wake you. After the rather busy night we had I thought it best to let you sleep," Deirdre said. "I am glad you are awake and dressed. We are to move to different chambers that are more to my tastes."
Legolas gave her an icy look and turned to walk away. Deirdre caught his arm. "Get your hands off me," he said sharply.
"We have one other thing to deal with. You have a punishment coming to you for last night's little escapade," Deirdre said silkily.
"Why? Having your hands all over me last night was punishment enough," Legolas retorted.
"My hands will all over you often. Remember that your place here is under me, so to speak," Deirdre smirked. She began to drag him out the door. She took him to the castle entrance where two more woman guards waited. Once more a length of chain was fastened to the gold cuffs.
"Bring him," Deirdre ordered, striding off. The guards seized Legolas by the arms and followed. Soon they came to what looked like the center of the city. In the middle of the square was a platform with a tall pole in the center. Deirdre walked up the steps then stepped aside.
The guards pulled Legolas onto the platform then over to the pole. The chains were placed over a hook in the pole. The hook was so high that Legolas had to stand on his toes.
Legolas' eyes widened in horror when one of the guards picked up a whip shook it out then cracked it. Even worse Legolas noticed a crowd was gathering around the platform.
Deirdre came up beside him and took the whip. "I will at least show the mercy of carrying out the whipping myself," she said.
"Do not expect me to thank you for that or this humiliation!" Legolas retorted.
"Keep a civil tongue in your head or be silent. You do not want extra lashes for your insolence," Deirdre warned.
Legolas bit back a comment and flinched when one of the guards ripped his shirt from his back. Now I know why only my traveling clothes had been laid out, he thought bitterly.
Deirdre turned to the crowd. "This slave has been sentenced to ten lashes for disobedience and defiance," she announced. She returned to Legolas and forced a thick strip of leather between his teeth. "Bite down on this," she said. She raised the whip and slashed it down across his shoulders.
Legolas' whole body jerked with the force of the blow, but somehow he managed not to scream at the searing pain that tore through him.
* Meanwhile*
Jaisia was horribly worried about Legolas. She had tried to connect to him last night, but hadn't been able too. She reached out for his mind again and nearly screamed as pain shot through her. They were whipping him!! She couldn't get through to his coherent thoughts. The pain blocked it, but Jaisia allowed herself to share it. She hoped it would help him bear it. She felt his pain and humiliation as if it were her own. When it was over her back burned as if she'd been whipped and she was crying. At that moment Jaisia was filled with resolve. (Do not worry, little brother, I will find a way to free us both) she thought just before Legolas closed the link.
Legolas was barely conscious by the time they returned to the castle. He was laid facedown on a soft mattress then he heard the door close. The pain was intolerable and it was pulling him into the healing sleep whether he wished it or not. Legolas had no argument though. He closed his eyes and allowed the comforting darkness to take him.
Deirdre entered the room with water, herbs, and bandages. She checked and sighed when she realized he was asleep. "I had to do it, golden one. It is best you learn to obey now to spare you pain later. Once the Centaur is dead you will know that it is no use resisting. You will accept your place," she said. She began carefully cleansing the deep lash marks….
Deirdre doesn't know Jaisia and Legolas to well, does she? She'll find out soon enough--Right? R/R please!!!
