See, I posted a few hours earlier than usual (and I got up at 8:30am on a Saturday morning to do it) be aware that I did proofread it at this time as well so it may be a little shit, so for that, I apologise. I'm grumpy this morning as my brother is currently boarding a plane to New York (I'm annoyed because he assured me he wouldn't be able to smuggle a Perspex box and its inhabitant through customs when I so think he could have considering Monkey boy's a US citizen) and I'm going off to, wait for it, buy some fucking schoolbooks. The excitement of it all. Sigh. I'll have to cling to the ER episode reviews to stop myself standing in front of a train. I'm such a drama queen…

Chapter Eight: New Faces

The rain cascaded down on them, and the dark haired youth, bleeding and defeated, lay winded and afraid on the soaking overgrown grass. His lungs heaved tiredly and head thumped groggily. The man who had called out to him earlier recoiled his hand and peered down at the young boy curiously, taking deep breaths to recover his composure after the chase. Sinking to one knee to take a closer look as the mist gathered over the wilder land, he frowned.

"Triebar, bring the torch nearer, I cannot see a thing." He muttered irritably.

Another figure stood over him, wielding the burning embers of their torch and illuminated the trembling form as he lay on the wet turf.

"Who are you, boy?" He asked sternly.

Estel gaped at him, eyes impossibly wide and mouth ajar. He didn't answer, his breaths becoming more ragged as he shuffled backward.

"No need to be afraid, lad." The hooded man's tone softened. "How did you get those injuries?"

A gust of wind swirled around them and Estel shivered before looking away, trying to will himself away from these men and these unfamiliar lands.

"Did you fall in the river?"

The young human again said nothing. He wanted to run. He couldn't. He was too tired.

Triebar knelt down beside him. "Roi, he could not have got those cuts from a fall in the river." He murmured. "And he is clearly scared of something, perhaps he is a runaway from Tharbad?"

He nodded. "Whom are you running from?"

Estel wiped away some rainwater from his face and blinked up at them. "P-please, don't hurt me." He mumbled meekly.

"No one will hurt you boy, we want to help you." Roi replied gently, pulling down his hood to reveal his shaggy blonde hair and weathered face. "I'll take him back to my house, maybe I can get some sense out of him then. The poor thing looks like he's been beaten black and blue." He explained grimly. "I think we should keep this quiet until we know more about him."

Pulling the young boy to his feet, they wrapped Roi's warm cloak around him. He flinched at their touch, struggling from their grasp with pure adrenaline until he broke free. Estel ran as fast as he possibly could, pushing the dark cloak from his shoulders as he reached the edges of the forest. His foot scraped at the brush before feeling a sudden grasp on his arm. Spinning around, he saw Roi clutching onto him tightly and the others jogging up behind. He tussled weakly in the tall man's arms, but it was no use.

"We are not going to harm you." He said calmly. "You're sick and wounded, let us help you."

Estel gazed at them, his heart pounding and his hands shaking. "Legolas!" He cried. "Tua amin! Manke naa lle?" [Help me! Where are you?]  "N'uma, kela." [No, go away.] He muttered, closing his eyes at his touch. "Legolas!"

Roi stiffened, and looked down at him with an eyebrow raised. "How extraordinary." He remarked. "A human that speaks the tongue of the firstborn? There are few who can in these parts." He turned to Triebar and the others. "I think perhaps that this one is not a lost runaway from the city."

He ceased his grip and placed the discarded cape around the shivering boy once more. They began to walk back through the forest, and Estel trekked on wearily, his vision increasingly hazy. He had no energy to hike any further and his head reeled blearily. Roi followed closely behind, wiping his dripping blond hair from his eyes, watching his legs bleed sluggishly; he had tried to carry him, but Estel had desperately resisted his touch. Estel stumbled forward, his energy finally sapped. He leapt forward and caught the young boy in his arms. Glancing down, he could feel the boy was burning with fever.

"Graemer," He called, and a younger figure jogged to his side. "Run on ahead; tell my wife what has happened and to ready a bed for him."

* * *

The rain was still lashing down and the wind whistled around the hilltop as he approached his home on the edge of a tiny village, the soft glow in the windows, warm and inviting. He looked down at the still unconscious child, and struggled to the door. It swung open and his wife ushered him in quickly, her red hair clasped in a tight bun.

"The poor mite, he looks half frozen." She said softly.

He took him upstairs to a small bedroom, and laid him gently in the soft bed, the sheets already warmed for him. Estel's head slumped into the pillow; his skin drained and glistening with a sickly sweat. Roi shook his head soberly upon realising the amount of injury inflicted upon the child, and watched as his wife cleaned the wounds tenderly.

"He was afraid, Shana. It was only when he could run no more did he finally succumb and still he wouldn't let us touch him." He wiped a strand of wet hair from his face. "I don't think he's from these parts; the child spoke Elvish as if it were his own tongue." 

"Where he's from and what language he speaks does not concern me right now; he's very ill, Roi. Go and change out of those wet things, I don't want two patients tonight!" She smiled. "Get some of Kaimin's clothes too."

Roi turned reluctantly, his hazel eyes darkening. She watched him trudge away and squeezed the excess water out of her sponge before she began to wipe away the dirty streaks of mud and clean his numerous wounds. He remained unconscious but still his body flinched at her touch, his forehead smouldered with fever but the rest of his body was like ice.

"Poor lamb, you have been through the wars, haven't you?" Shana murmured.

The rain continued to crash against the windows, the tiny village of fewer than ten houses illuminated occasionally by a brash flash of lightning. It was a gloomy night; the howling wind rushing through the isolated hills. The rickety old fence creaked under the strain and the gate crashed loudly against it. They left his side after a couple of hours, letting him sleep as his fever continued to maul him. She had treated all his wounds, killing the infections and dressing the gashes on his torso and head.

Settling in his humble living room, Roi stayed up as the rest of his family slept in case Estel awoke. He sat in silence, sharpening his fishing knives and mending some tears in his nets, his rough hands working meticulously in the candlelight.   

Estel lay still in his bed, the warm covers pulled over his body. It was a troubled sleep but his body was so tired he did not wake, instead his face contorted as the bad memories and harrowing dreams washed over him. Carinyc was staring down at him, his wicked smirk lighting up his cruel face, his grubby hands touching and grappling at his body. He couldn't move. Someone was holding him down. Carinyc was closing in, so close that he could see the depraved lust in his ice blue eyes. He stirred uncomfortably, no longer could his exhaustion suppress his panic.

"Tampa!" [Stop] The youth moaned. "Stay away from me! No!"

Roi paused. He could hear the muffled cries and quickly leapt to his feet, making his way quickly up the bare wooden stairs, his shoes clinking against the floor as he jogged toward the small bedroom. He stopped at the door, listening as Estel called out again, and opened the door gently. He was still asleep, but now he was tossing and turning, his arms flailing wildly and his legs kicking out. The blond man leant over him, watching with concern as he struggled, the fear in the young boy's face heart wrenching. Tentatively, he reached down and touched his arm gently.

Estel awoke with a start, sitting up quickly, staring at Roi anxiously with wide eyes than burned wildly with fear and confusion. He had jumped at the boy's sudden movement, but now he managed a gentle smile.

"Calm down, lad, you don't want to aggravate your injuries." Roi said softly, reaching out to comfort him. "How are you feeling?"

He gaped at the unfamiliar figure, his breathing panicked. Shirking his touch, Estel backed away until he knelt on the pillow at the head of his bed.

"It's alright, I won't hurt you. I helped you at the river, remember?"

The dark haired youth stumbled off the bed and retreated to the opposite side of the room to Roi, the blue shirt he now wore was too big, the sleeves hanging over his hands loosely.

He leant against the wall even though it made his back sting, his eyes stormy with distrust. "You chased me and made me come with you." He growled warily.

Roi frowned. "You were injured, we wanted to help you." He replied calmly. "You fled, so we followed because we knew you wouldn't have lasted long alone. Would my wife have treated your wounds if we intended to harm you?"

Estel rubbed his aching head, confused, worried tears rolling down his cheeks. "Where am I?" He murmured between sobs, not really asking anyone.

"A small fishing village about two miles north of the city of Tharbad."

Tharbad. That name was only vaguely familiar but it made his heart sink further. He was even further from home than he had feared.

"Manke naa lle, Legolas?" [Where are you?] He muttered, eyeing the blond man warily.

"You don't meet many who can speak the language of the firstborn in these parts… which confirms to me that you are not from around here. Where do you hail from? Gondor? Your dark features make me think that, but if you were swept to these shores by the Loudwater as I'm almost certain you were, then it makes no sense as that realm is further south." He rationalized steadily, trying not to startle the frightened youth any further. "If you were from Gondor, then you would most likely know Tharbad, so I doubt you are from there. If you were from Rohan, then you would almost definitely know the city. So, you must be from the north and quite some way north as well."

Roi paused and watched the small form stiffen in the corner; the emotion that had blazed so vividly in his eyes before had now been shut off. He was still shaking, but his face was unreadable.

"My name is Roiderick, but you may call me Roi. My wife Shana and my children, Kaimin and Yolanda are asleep. What's your name?"

He didn't speak, slumping to the ground, his legs pulled tightly to his bruised body. The horses in their stable neighed anxiously, making him jump.

The blond human sighed. "So you're a boy with no name and no home?"

"I have both, but neither is important. I give thanks for treating my injuries but I must leave." Estel spoke a little louder.

"You are not well enough lad. You are sick, injured and I think you are lost too, what kind of person would I be if I let you go?" He reasoned.

His lip trembled and he sank his head into his clammy hands. "A saviour." The ebony haired child mumbled inaudibly.

"Whom are you running from?"

His head shot up, and glancing at Roi nervously. "Who said I was running from anything?" He hissed loudly, before rising to his feet.         

As the older human stood and began to reply, the door swung open. Estel glanced over to see who it was before quickly returning his wary gaze back to Roi, tears still stubbornly rolling down his face. Shana stepped inside, holding a little girl with the same vivid red hair, about four years of age, on her hip. She stared at him curiously, before breaking into a reassuring smile.

"I was hoping you would sleep the whole night and recover your strength, little one." Shana said soothingly. "There's no need to be so frightened, we won't bite!"

Estel looked at her, unsure of what to do. His instinct was to run; no matter how well intentioned these people were, he had to find Legolas and try and get back to Rivendell. He didn't know how honourable Roiderick and his family were, nor did he intend to stay around long enough to find out.

"If you are in trouble, son, then we will help you, you can trust us." He spoke earnestly, his eyes glinting.

"I dare not trust a soul in these lands, I would be a fool if I did. I trust myself and only myself." Estel replied, neglecting mention Legolas or his family intentionally.

Shana pursed her lips and sat Yolanda down on his bed. "That is a very bleak outlook on people for such a young 'un."

"I've had a bleak few days." He almost laughed at his own words.

She glanced warily at her husband. "I'm sorry to hear that, dear, but perhaps we should discuss all this in the morning. You need your rest; your fever will not break until that weary little body of yours gets some sleep. I'll have breakfast ready for you when you wake." She smiled and ushered the others out. "Talk when you're ready."

Estel closed his eyes and sunk to the floor again, his heart heavy. Running his hands through his newly brushed hair, he rested his pounding head against his knees and sighed. There he sat for an hour, listening as the horses continued to cry. He was so tired but he had to get out. He had to find Legolas. Glancing around the sparsely furnished room, he settled upon the small window and made his way to it.

Forcing the stiff window open as quietly as he could, the rain bellowed in, spraying his face and the wind sent a chill down his spine. It fell so hard that he could barely make out the dark forms of the forest in the distance. Estel peered out; the lonely village was dark; asleep for the night. It was a long way down, but the uneven brickwork made it easy to scale. He landed on the soft ground with a slight splash, the mud staining his bandages. Pain seared through his body and he fell to his knees. Taking a deep breath to recover his composure, he climbed to his feet once more. He turned from the house and froze.

Looking down the long brutal blade of a knife, he heard a voice growl.

"Now where do you think you're going?"

Tbc…

Sorry, I know it's another cliffy, but you must understand that 1) I need to cut off at certain points 2) I'm a bitch. I assure you that the next chapter hasn't got one (I think)

Eph – Yup, I'm evil. Legless is sitting on a beach drinking rum (Sorry, couldn't resist) Welcome to the Caribbean!

Greenarrow – Dude, you need prozac or valium… or something. You're way too emotional, although admittedly I did cry for an hour after Neighbours yesterday… Oh, and if you need a helping hand with your fic, feel free to e-mail me. :)

TigerLily713 – I'm cold and hungry too. Why's the cat had his breakfast and I haven't? Bah. Where's my tea?! Bastards, all of 'em! I wish I could explain that outburst but I really can't. Vengeance!

Alex mistress squirrel – Yes, bring on the suspense, squirrel girl! Oh, wait, you're talking to me… Oh my god, this has taken me an hour and a half to do. Bloody hell, I'm slow.

Singing Wolf – Actually, I am considering making this a whole kinda series, moving onto when he 17+ I've got a few ideas (some torture some not) It depends what everyone thinks nearer the end.

Leggylover03 – Look, I've lost everyone. I'm not very organised, they were there one minute and gone the next. It wasn't me Guv, honest! I'll make it apparent where everyone is when I'm ready.

Lei Dumbledore – I was kidding too! I'm still stuck in Moria in the books so feel free to throw something at me. I never thought I could write lotr fic, but I had a whiz and here we are. Oh, are you sure you'd want to live here? Bush country or Bush's puppy country. Hmm… I think I'd rather live in France with Johnny Depp!

Grumpy – Mahahahaha, *still has the element of surprise* I'm so tired, I can't even laugh manically anymore. Have I answered your nice/nasty men question?

Jadelyn Rashwe – Are you alright? You sound kinda manic, dude. I'll take that 'DON'T DO THEM!' as a 'More cliffies please, we all love them!' Duly noted, expected more in the future…

Vana E – Your reviews are still putting my story to shame! Aaw, hope you feel better soon. I hope #2 hasn't beaten #4 to death with a lamp, and that #3's fortune changes! Maybe you should consider counselling for them…

M J Rosemary – Is Legless okay? Hmm… I haven't decided. Mwahahahahaha, no, I have really. This chapter hasn't really put you out of your misery has it? Apologies.

Tithen Min – Grr… I've done that before! I hope you know I'm clinging onto that story to stop myself from suicide (FEEL THE PRESSURE!) and if I die, this story doesn't end… I'm evil and I'm taking you down with me, savvy?