Chapter 4

As they walked Beriel spoke. "Conath is basically set up in a circle. In the middle is the town square. There is a tavern/inn and a stable to accommodate the occasional visitor. The houses radiate outward from the center. To the west is the rocky valley wall. To the east is the river and the other valley wall. To the south are the fields, and to the north is the road that leads out of the valley. There are about 50 families living here. All told there are about 150 people in Conath." They had reached the town square by this point.

"What is that dais for," Aragorn asked.

"Whenever we have a town meeting, the Elders are seated upon it. Ok, fellows. Here comes Jocen. Be wary of what you tell him." He turned to the approaching man.

"Hello Jocen. How do you this fine evening?"

"Good eve to you Beriel. I am well. How are you and Thariel?"

"Oh, we're just fine."

"And who are these strangers with you?"

"This is Aragorn and Legolas. They are travelers in search of a night's rest." "Welcome to Conath gentlemen. Is Beriel the first person you've met since entering our fair village?" His manner and words were friendly enough but his eyes betrayed him. Both Aragorn and Legolas sensed that his friendliness was only on the surface, and instantly they were on their guard.

"The first person we met in town was a youth called Codian," Aragorn told him. "He offered to show us to the inn, but then he noticed that Legolas is an elf so he took us to Beriel's to meet the other elves. There we met Beriel and his daughter Thariel."

"How long do you think you'll be staying?"

"A few days maybe. That will give us time to relax and refresh. We've been traveling a long time."

"I see. Please feel free to stay as long as you'd like. Beriel, can I talk to you for a moment." He nodded. To Legolas and Aragorn he said, "If you'd like to keep looking around I'll meet you back at my house. We can have dinner then."

"Thank you Beriel, you are most kind," Legolas said. Beriel left with Jocen, and they walked on.

Meanwhile, Thariel left Jilien and Tolon's and made to go back to her house. She was thinking about Legolas and Aragorn so she failed to notice the group of boys that followed her. Heeding her father's warning she stuck to the alleys. She was looking down and only looked up when a voice said, "And where are you going to Thariel?" She looked around and saw that she was encircled by 10 boys. She cursed herself for not paying attention.

"Let me pass Jonen," she said more calmly then she was actually feeling.

"I don't think so elf," he sneered at her. He stepped forward and grabbed her arm. She yanked it away.

"Touch me again human, and I will scream." Jonen laughed as he shoved her to one of his friends. They shoved her around for a while. Jocen grabbed her again and said, "Go ahead and scream elf. No one in this city would run to help you." He slammed her against a wall, knocking the breath out of her.

"Do not be too sure of that," a voice called out. They looked up and saw Legolas and Aragorn running towards them.

"Leave her alone," Legolas said. Jonen let her go and she collapsed to the ground trying to catch her breath.

"This isn't over elf. You won't always have your bodyguards around." He spat at her then took off running followed by his friends.

Legolas and Aragorn knelt down by the girl.

"Thariel, are you alright," Aragorn asked her gently. She looked up at them. "I'll be fine." They helped her up.

"Where's my father?"

"He's talking with Jocen. Who were those boys."

"The leader is Jonen, Jocen's son." She picked up the pack she had dropped when the boys had attacked her.

"You should get home Thariel," Aragorn began then stopped at the panicked look on her face.

"No. I'm not going home yet. I'm going to go wash up in the river first. I don't want my father to know about this. I'm not going to be the cause of any more trouble." They headed of to the river.

"How long has this been going on," Legolas asked. Thariel shrugged as she wiped her face and washed her hands.

"It's never been this bad before," she admitted slowly. "At first it was just taunts. Then they started following me wherever I went. This is the first time they've been brave enough to actually touch me. I'm usually more careful. If I'm in the city, Codian is always with me. They won't do anything if I'm with someone. They're afraid of being caught. Public opinion is against me, but not to the extent that would condone any harm to me. At least, that's what I thought." "Does your father know any of this?"

"No. I've never told him. He's worried enough about me without adding to it. It's more than worry though. He's afraid for me," she finished softly.

"Do I look presentable," she asked. They nodded, then followed her back to the house. They now knew why Beriel wanted to send Thariel to Rivendell. They looked at each other and silently vowed to make sure she was safe.