A week had passed, and Celegorm was ready for a warm bed and full meal. Thankfully, Tess did not complain much and helped when she could. They stopped every night near the river to bathe, and just as she had guessed, he did see her naked. He tried not to look, but sometimes she would just strip off her clothes unannounced and wade into the river.
He liked and admired that about her. She didn't feel shame or embarrassment, as they had to get used to each other and being close. They worked well together despite their differences. Celegorm hunted for rabbits and other small game while Tess used her magic fire to build them campfires. He was in awe seeing that the first night as she flicked the metal wheel, and fire came out. Tess let him try it, and he spent an hour watching the fire dance near his fingers. She had to take it from him eventually, as the magic would run out.
Tess showed him a few other things, like a smaller version of her magic tablet. During the day, while they walked, she explained her things and city to him. Being the honest and blunt person that he was, he told her that he didn't understand and that it was magic. They squabbled a few times about magic and science until Tess finally caved and said it was magic. From then on, he could understand the basics, and then anything else, he chalked it up to magic.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying himself. He had never once thought about learning or magic as he was so consumed with hunting when he was younger. His brothers could spend hours reading and discussing theories in a library, but he never cared then. Now, Celegorm picked Tess's brain for information about this age and her city. Every day was enjoyable, and it grabbed his attention just as much as hunting did when he was younger.
It might have been because the road was dreadfully dull. The plains spread out for miles, and there was nothing to see. Each day was more of the same, but after six days of non-stop walking, he spotted the city in the distance. Tess cried in relief as they both smelled and couldn't wait for a warm bath. They walked so far that day and long into the night before they stopped. While Tess got a fire going, he killed six rabbits and brought them back.
Tess gave him a look, but he just said, "we will need to gather coins tomorrow. I will sell five rabbits. Hopefully, we can get a good price for them. We can figure out a plan once we have a place to stay at an inn."
Tess nodded and added more small sticks and grass to the fire. After the first night, he made a roasting pyre with sticks and some thread. Tess carried it in her bag, and he was happy they had something to carry their supplies in.
Celegorm quickly skinned the rabbit until his eyes spotted something moving in the distance. They were close to the city now, and they were bound to see other people. Celegorm straightened and tensed as a group of four men made their way toward them. He looked back at Tess and said, "there are four men approaching. Have a knife close and be ready to use it."
He heard the men's loud laughter before seeing what they looked like. He held his rabbit in one hand while his knife was in the other. He tensed as the men stopped just outside the firelight and said, "greetings. My friends and I are on our way to the city. We spotted your fire and decided to join."
"I would prefer it if you kept walking towards the city," Celegorm replied firmly.
One of the men stepped closer to Tess as he slurred, "she's pretty. I wouldn't mind a go."
Tess replied first, "touch me, and you die."
All the men laughed at her, but the first one spoke again. "We are not looking for any trouble. Just to share a warm meal and fire. Other things, if you are willing. We can pay."
Celegorm dropped the rabbit and held his knife in the light toward them. "Touch her, and you die. Turn around and walk back to the city. You will not find any welcome here, mortal."
All the men turned to him then, and the one who spoke to Tess slurred, "it's one of them elfs. This one is different, though. Didn't know elves took humans to bed."
The leader stepped forward and then pulled out a large bag of coins. "How about we buy her off of you? I know the elves do not care for humans. Give her to us. She will be well taken care of."
His eyes narrowed as he glared darkly at them, "if by well taken care of, you mean raped and then killed. Leave now before I kill you all. Do not try my patience," he spat at the man's feet. "I would never lower myself to sell a woman for a small bag of coins." He stepped closer to the man, and then he snatched the bag from his hands and tossed it at Tess.
The man growled at him, but he quickly held up his knife to his throat. "Leave this place before I kill you. Return to the city or whatever hole you crawled out from. Should I hear of any misdeeds from you or your friends while I am in the city, I will find you and kill you."
He pressed the knife to his throat just enough to draw blood. The man cried and then begged, "please. We didn't mean anything by it."
He grinned predatorily at them. "Of course you did. You hoped I was a poor man who would sell his wife or daughter to you for some coin. Or that I was weak enough for you to overpower and kill. Turn around now and leave before I change my mind and kill you."
The three other men turned and ran, and he pulled his knife free just enough for the last man to turn tail and run. Celegorm watched as the group of them jogged through the plains toward the city. When they were far enough away, he grabbed his rabbits and then pulled Tess up to her feet.
"Come on," he told her. "We need to leave for the city. They will come back in the night. Leave the fire going."
Tess nodded and then grabbed onto his arm tightly. She was trembling, and he turned to her once they were away from the fire. "I will never let anyone touch you. I swear it."
Tess surprised him, then, by grabbing him around the middle and pulling him close for a tight hug. He had not had any physical contact with anyone for quite some time, and it was nice. He could feel her trembling in his arms, and he knew the fear of what had just happened. Mortal men thought themselves untouchable, and he heard enough stories over the years to make his stomach turn. Not all of them were bad, but there were enough in the world of men to make his skin crawl. Celegorm held onto Tess until she had calmed down enough to keep going. He saw she was crying a little, and he acted without thinking as he wiped the tears from her face.
He cupped her face in his hands and then tilted her up, so he could stare into her eyes. "Listen to me closely. This city will have horrible men in it. I will keep you safe, but you need to stay close to me and listen when I tell you to do something. I know you understand this, and I think that is why you wish to stay in Rivendell."
It was dark, but he could see the firelight reflected in her eyes. Her eyes widened in surprise, but then he reached out and brushed the soft blonde hair behind her ear. "You are a beautiful woman. Much prettier than any I have seen before, and you look more like an elf. Men will want you, and they will not care if they have to hurt you to get it. To elves, rape is unimaginable, but I have heard enough stories in the first age to know that most human cities do not protect women. I think you know this too, and maybe that is why you wish to return home to your world. Women seem to be treated much better there."
"They are," she answered softly. "It does still happen there, though."
Celegorm saw a flash behind her eyes, and he tightened his hold on her. His stomach turned as he thought about that happening to Tess. It was his turn to move now, as he pulled her in again for a warm embrace. He felt at home and peaceful in her arms. Like everything was going to be alright again, and they could face off against the world. He had never felt anything close to this in all of his long years, and he wondered what it meant. He didn't linger on the thought as he rested his head against hers.
Without thinking, he kissed the top of her head and sighed softly. Tess responded in kind by sighing as well. They held onto one another for a few more minutes until she pulled away. Without a word, she took his hand in hers and started walking towards the city. Celegorm understood that Tess didn't want to talk about it, and he respected that.
It took a while before they made it to the city, and when they were outside the gates, he grimaced. Tess spoke first as she said, "this city fucking reeks."
Celegorm was trying hard not to smell, but it was so overwhelming for him. Tess looked down and then picked up one of her boots. It was covered in shit, and she visibly shook. "Absolutely fucking disgusting," she choked out. "We have to stay here."
"Unfortunately," he managed to cough out.
Tess scrunched up her nose, but he pulled her down the main road. The city was quiet, and most of the home's windows were closed with shutters. He looked around for an inn, but they had walked all around the city and couldn't find one. When they walked down another street, a few women stood outside a door. He could hear a lot of voices, and they called to him.
"Hey, handsome?" One purred at him. "Would you like to step inside? It's only three bronze coins for an hour."
Celegorm was about to reply when Tess did the unthinkable and stepped forward. In her hand was one silver coin as she said, "how about information instead? One silver coin for the location of the inn."
The women laughed but then nodded. "Easy money. You're looking at it. This used to be the city's inn before it became a brothel. There is one near the center of the city, but it is expensive, and usually, only high lords and ladies stay there." She battered her eyes at him and purred, "most men would rather spend the night with some company. We are much cheaper anyway."
Tess tossed the coin to her, and the women caught it gleefully. The woman then set her sights on Tess as she said, "my, aren't you a pretty one. Haven't seen a girl like you in ages. You would bring in all the coins, and business would take off again. Interested?"
"No," Tess replied shortly.
"Pity," the woman replied. "The offer still stands, though, if you change your mind."
Celegorm pulled Tess away as they walked towards the city center. When they got to the main square, he noticed a second wall surrounding the center. He snorted to himself, as he should have known. They walked to the gate, where a guard hollered, "halt travelers. State your business."
"We are seeking the inn," he replied firmly.
The guard stood in his way as he said, "the inn is reserved for high lords and ladies."
He rolled his eyes as he stood tall and imposing over the guard. "I am prince Celegorm of the house of Finwë, high king of the Noldor. You must know something about elves, at least."
The guard opened his mouth and then closed it right away. He stepped aside and said, "you are welcome, my lord."
Once they passed through, Tess whispered, "I can't believe that worked."
Celegorm snorted, "he did not have any idea who I was. I guessed that he did not want to piss off any high elves. I believe you said the elves buy wine from this area."
"I think so, but I'm not sure."
It didn't matter now, as they were inside the city center. This area was much cleaner, and the smell was not as strong. He breathed out in relief, as he couldn't imagine staying in this city for long otherwise. It was a short walk to the inn, and when they stepped inside, the room was mostly dark except for a small fire.
A woman was knitting by the fire and looked up at their entrance. "Travelers?" she questioned.
He nodded, and then the woman dropped her knitting and came over to them. The woman looked furiously at them as she mumbled, "I wasn't told about any travelers." She stopped, though, when she saw them. At first, her eyes found him, and her beady dark eyes roamed up and down his body, but then she turned to Tess.
The sheer rage and anger that formed on her face made him falter. Tess held onto his arm tightly as the woman sneered at Tess. "I suppose you want rooms. Are you married?"
"No," he commented.
The woman huffed and spat at Tess, "what is a woman like you traveling alone with an elf? Whoring yourself out to him?"
His fingers clenched tightly in his fists as he snarled, "take care how you speak to my companion. Our business is our own. We require one room for three nights."
A nasty laugh sounded from the woman, "out of the question, elf. Unmarried companions receive separate rooms. Eight silver for three nights. Comes with lodging and two meals a day."
"Done," he replied as he took the bag from Tess's hands. He dropped another silver on the pile as he said, "keep your mouth shut that we are here, and you will receive extra when we leave."
The woman nodded as her grubby little hands scooped up the coins. Then she grabbed a small lantern and beckoned them to follow her up the stairs. On the next landing were rows of doors on each side. The woman unlocked one of them and waved to Tess, "your room."
Tess walked in but stood in the doorway as the women moved down the hall to the last door. After unlocking it, she said, "your room, elf." As the woman turned to walk back down the stairs, she called over her shoulder. "Morning meal is at sunrise."
She took the lantern with her, and then the hallway was dark. Celegorm didn't think as he made his way toward Tess's room. She stepped back as he stepped in and closed the door behind them. There was a fireplace with some chairs, so he moved over to drop his things. "I'm staying here."
He heard Tess sigh in relief. The innkeeper made his skin crawl, and he was on edge. He would not leave Tess alone in a room, and one where the women had a key. Tess handed him her magic fire, and he moved to start one. After a few seconds, the fire crackled around the room to let in light.
There was one bed centered between the windows. It looked clean and warm, but he would let Tess sleep there. Besides the chairs near the fireplace, the room only had one small dresser. Without a word, he moved over to it and pushed it until it was against the door. When he was finished, he looked over and saw Tess sitting on the bed. He needed to relax, so he hoped she didn't mind. Moving over to the other side of the bed, he laid across it on his back.
It felt heavenly for his legs and back. He closed his eyes to relax until he felt the bed move. He cracked one eye and saw Tess had moved but was curled up near the head of the bed by the pillows. They both had their own space, with their feet being the closest to each other. Tess moved under the covers, and then he heard her soft snores as she fell asleep.
Turning on his side, he rested his arm under his head so he could watch her sleep. It had been a comfort for him in the last week. It was a little creepy of him, but Tess told him previously that she didn't mind. After a while, he relaxed until he fell into a deep sleep.
The soft jingling of keys woke him, and he blinked awake to a dark room. He turned his head towards the door as he heard the keys jingling in the lock. He was awake instantly and jumped out of bed and over to his knives. Creeping quietly towards the door, he heard the soft whispers of a man and woman. It was the women who ran the inn, but the male voice sounded familiar.
The knob turned as they tried to push open the door. The dresser was blocking the way as the door only opened a crack. He heard the soft voices clearer now as the woman said, "she must have pushed the dresser in front of the door. We can't get in tonight."
The man replied, "tomorrow, then. I'll tell my father what they did to us outside the city. He will give me the girl to punish, and you can have the elf, my darling."
The door closed softly, and he loosened his grip on his knife. As much as he disliked the wood elves, they were much better than the people in this city. The keys turned again in the lock as the couple went down the hall. He heard the sound of another door opening, and he guessed they were looking for him.
The couple returned to the door, and the man stopped in front of it. "I know you are in there, elf. My father will be told of this, and you won't make it out of the city."
The man and woman moved down the stairs, and he finally figured out the man was the same one from before. The one who he threatened to kill as his knife was pressed against his throat. He sat back on the edge of the bed and watched the door for the rest of the night. The one thought that plagued his mind until morning came was that he should have killed him when he had the chance.