Ferryman

It was dusk when they reached the ferry at the end of the Runnings River where it emptied into the Sea of Rhûn. It was a long crossing, and the current was unpredictable and treacherous. Nyére seemed relieved by the rapidly approaching darkness.

"Night comes to conceal our crossing," she said to Aragorn. "That is most timely."

"What manner of men control that harbor?" Aragorn asked her as he strained his eyes to see it across the mouth of the River.

"Evil men," Nyére said. "We ran into one of their chiefs farther up the river. We can avoid them if we are cautious and travel through the wood."

"What about patrols?" Legolas asked.

"There will be some," she admitted.

"What about our ferryman?" Aragorn asked.

"He is only concerned with his own welfare," Nyére said. "He will not deny us passage, but if questioned he will tell them he has seen us."

Aragorn pondered the best way to meet him. "Everyone draw your hoods and cover your weapons as much as possible. Don't let him see the elves, or the women," Aragorn said. "If he is wise, he will accept our money and ask no questions."

"What about Quickbeam?" Jamie asked as she rode over to them. "He sort of stands out, and it doesn't look like there's room for him on the ferry."

Aragorn and Legolas looked at the tree sized Ent and frowned. "What do you suggest, Quickbeam?" Aragorn asked.

"I will cross upstream," he said. "There was a place that looked good to me. I will join you in the forest after you cross."

Jamie didn't like the idea of being separated. "Are you sure? You didn't make any friends the other day by the falls. If they find you alone…"

"I am able to take care of myself," Quickbeam answered her quickly. "Tree cutters are of little concern to me. I will not fail to join you in the wood." Quickbeam looked at Aragorn and just said, "I will leave the Taure Lirilla in your care until I rejoin you." And with that he backtracked up the trail and disappeared over the hill.

"Don't worry about him, Jamie," Legolas said. "He's a couple ages older than I am. He'll be fine."

Jamie just looked down at the ferry. It was just an oversized raft with railings around it. It seemed to be hooked up to a large rope than ran across the river to a dock on the opposite shore. She didn't like the look of it at all. Aragorn told everyone to cover up, and they rode down to the ferry dock. There was a small thatched roof cottage beside the boarding dock.

As they approached, the ferryman came out of the cottage to meet them. He was an old and weathered looking man, thin, but sturdy looking. His hair was long, gray and stringy, and he had a foo-man-shoo mustache with a goatee. Jamie immediately thought he looked creepy. He put her in mind of the ferryman over the River Styx in Greek mythology. She watched nervously as Aragorn haggled for their crossing.

"What price for horse and rider?" Aragorn asked casually.

"What is your business across the river?" the ferryman asked.

"Our business is our own," Aragorn said quickly. "Are you a ferryman or a watchman? Have you an interest in our gold or not?"

"Understand, stranger, my position is delicate. I live amongst many enemies who allow me to conduct my business in peace only at their whim. I would know who I am dealing with before I upset the wrong people with my aid," the ferryman said.

"Peace Ferryman!" Nyére said as she rode forward. "You are dealing with the friends of the Avari."

"Not all Avari are my friends, woman. The last I met was most unpleasant," the ferryman said in annoyance.

"He is slain, and will trouble you no more," Nyére said quietly.

"Tell me, who is the warrior that kindly rid the land of that arrogant Elf?" the Ferryman asked with a smirk on his face.

Nyére lowered her hood and glared at him, "I am."

"Ah, Lady of the wood," the ferryman said with a smile. "Why did you not show yourself sooner? I will grant your passage."

"What price, ferryman?" Nyére asked.

"Your companion's offering of gold will suffice, one coin per horse, the riders are free," he said. "But stay clear of the settlement. Endrion is scouring the countryside for blood. Now that I see you here, I think perhaps it is yours that he seeks."

The ferryman lowered the ramp to his ferry and the riders dismounted. Each one led their horse onto the raft like ferry, but Jamie hesitated. Thelyn gave his reins to Alcon and went to her.

"It is a short crossing," he said softly as he took Starsong's reins. "Come."

Jamie's expression quickly changed from uncertainty to determination. She took the reins and looked at Thelyn levelly. "You go on; I'm fine on my own."

Thelyn was taken back by her sudden rejection of his comfort. He boarded the ferry completely dumbfounded and hurt. Jamie led her horse onto the deck. Thelyn just stood by the railing and frowned at the water.

The ferryman closed the gate. He let loose the lines, and the ferry was off on its short journey across the river. Aragorn and Polodrin helped pull the raft along the rope to speed up the crossing. The longer they were out in the open, the more opportunity to draw attention.

On the other side, Jamie couldn't get off the ferry fast enough. She was on shore and mounted up before half of them caught up to her. Thelyn knew she'd been terrified the whole time, and it worried him that she would push him away.

With everyone on shore and back in the saddle, Nyére pointed to the trail they would follow. "There," she said, "but this is not a safe or easy road. We must beware of Trolls and Goblins as well as Endrion's men."

"You are full of good news today, Lady Snow," Polodrin said with a smirk.

"Indeed," she retorted with a cocked brow, "And it gets better. Beyond the wood is a desert. It will take three days to cross, and it is four to the first water beyond the wood."

"Let's get off this road and find a place to camp," Aragorn said.

They continued into the cover of the wood, and Jamie was struck by its deafening silence. The trees did not whisper to her here, and she felt strangely cold and isolated. They followed the trail to a small open area by a stream and made their camp. Jamie sat alone and listened for any signs of life from the trees. She wished Quickbeam was here, and she couldn't wait for him to join them.

Aragorn and Polodrin went hunting and returned with a couple of rabbits and a quail. Polodrin went to work making his stew and everyone sat around the fire and visited. Jamie tried to be sociable but there was a knot in her stomach and a feeling of dread that she could not shake. She left the fire and headed for the stream to wash for dinner. Perhaps the cool water would refresh her and help her to relax. It wasn't far from the protective circle of the firelight, but Aragorn cocked a brow when she was scarcely five feet away.

"Stay close," he said.

Jamie frowned in annoyance but pasted a smile on her face before she turned around. "Just wanted to wash my hands in the stream," she said. "It's right there."

Aragorn gave her a nod and then turned back to answer a question.

Jamie sighed and left them for the cool and inviting water. She knelt down and splashed a little on her face. It was as cool as she'd thought. She closed her eyes and splashed her face again. Suddenly, she was covered in a big blanket or something and grabbed by several pairs of hands.

"Hey-mfff!" she tried to cry out but was unsuccessful.

She felt herself lifted up and thrown over someone's shoulders. As she was carried at a full run away from the camp, she heard the angry cries of her companions and the sounds of metal on metal. But it was quickly growing faint. Her captor stopped and she was tossed over the back of a horse. The horn of the saddle dug into her stomach painfully and the rider mounted up behind her.

"Scream if you wish," he said sneeringly. "You are mine now."

"I would not give you the satisfaction of screaming!" Jamie hissed at him angrily.

He laughed at her bluster, "Oh, I will have satisfaction from you," he said. "And I promise, I can make you scream."

The horse suddenly broke into a full gallop and Jamie thought she was going to be sick. She wasn't sure if it was the discomfort of the wild ride, or the fear of what would happen to her when they stopped. One thing was certain, she was alone for the first time since she fell into that river, and she was terrified.

There were nearly two dozen Easterlings swarming the camp. The Elves were skillful with their bows and took out nearly ten before they were close enough for swords. Aragorn, Polodrin and the two rangers dispatched nearly a dozen between them, and the rest fled into the woods. When the battle was over, Aragorn took stock of the damage.

"Is anyone hurt?" he asked between ragged breaths.

Nyére was the first to speak up, "They took Jamie she said in panic. I saw Endrion take her when they rushed us."

Thelyn didn't wait for the discussion; he just turned and ran to his horse. Legolas caught him before he could mount up.

"Wait for Aragorn," Legolas said.

Thelyn looked at Aragorn and said, "Do not ask me to wait."

Aragorn felt sick to his stomach. Jamie was helpless and in the hands of evil men. He should have told her to stay by the fire, or went with her. "I will not ask you to wait, I will go with you." He looked at his Rangers and just said, "Mount up."

Legolas hopped onto his horse and looked at Aragorn, "I saw Endrion look at her by the river. There is evil in him, and he will harm her. I'm going with you."

Alcon mounted up as well, and Aragorn just turned to Polodrin, "You two stay here and wait for the Ent. I do not think they will return. They have their prize." And with that the riders took off in the direction that Endrion had gone.

Jamie woke up and found herself bound hand and foot in a hole. It was four feet across and five feet deep. There were bits of rotten food and bones in it, and it smelled foul. She could hear the revelry of the men and saw the glow of their fire on the trees above. They were not far, but they weren't that close, either. She tried to sit up, and realized she ached from head to toe. The throbbing in her head threatened to make her pass out again and she forced herself to shut out the pain. She needed to see where she was. She was not much taller than the hole she was in, only a few inches. She managed to stand, and she carefully stood on her tip toes and peeked out of the hole. Across an open area was a large campfire surrounded by more than a dozen men. They were eating and drinking and telling stories. Jamie recognized the outfits; they were like the Easterlings that Quickbeam had punted into the river. Jamie smiled at the memory. She could use a pissed off Ent right now. Then she saw him, that Endrion guy. Damn, that was him. He was the one who must have taken her.

She felt nauseous. You hear about rape in the news and you think, 'how awful for her,' but then you go on with your day and forget about it. It's a whole different story when the girl is you. Jamie felt dizzy and quickly sat down again. God, there were at least a dozen if not more. She pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged them close. The ropes were tight, and her fingers were numb. She looked up at the stars and all she could think was that she'd rather be dead than have them touch her.

"So when does the sport begin, Endrion? Bring out the wench and let us see her," one of the men said loudly.

Endrion got to his feet quickly and faced the anxious man angrily, "This prize is mine! I am lord here, besides, I earned her with that swim. Go and find your own amusement."

Jamie just cringed. As the evening wore on they became rowdier. She racked her brain for a plan. She had to get away. Then she remembered the dagger that Polodrin had given her. She searched around her belt for it and then she heard a laugh above her,

Endrion stood holding her dagger with a smile on his face, "Looking for this?"

"As a matter of fact, I was," she said.

"I am not so foolish as to leave you armed," he said. "It was a pleasure searching you for hidden weapons."

"You are a pig," she said angrily.

"I am a Chief, and I get what I want," Endrion said seriously. "What are you doing in the company of the Elves?"

"Traveling," she said.

"Do not treat me as a fool," he said. "I would know your business in my territory. If you cooperate with me, it might go well for you. I am not so terrible. You may find me very gracious if you are but a little friendly."

"The only grace I wish from you is my freedom," she said.

"That I will not grant," he said flatly. "Your purpose, woman, I grow impatient."

"We were merely passing through and meant no harm to anyone along the way," she said.

"But there was harm, was there not? Your great tree sent me on a soggy trip," he said with angry fire in his eyes.

"You were threatening us, and you cut the trees. He's protective of his friends and the trees," Jamie said.

"Well, you are mine now," he said with a wicked smile. "I'll wager your skin is softer than goose down, and your mouth as sweet as honey."

"They will come for me," Jamie said.

"They have the princess," he said. "Why would they risk her safety to retrieve a peasant wench?"

Jamie went pale at his words. That was all she was here, a nameless peasant wench to be this horrible man's drunken tryst. She knew they would rescue her eventually, if they could. She needed to stall him as long as possible. She had to keep him talking.

"They value people of all stations," she said. "Your intentions were clear before. They would not leave me to your mistreatment. If you release me unharmed, they may let you live."

"You speak highly of yourself, little one," Endrion said. "What is so valuable about you?"

"I can sing a little," she said quietly.

Endrion smiled, "Then sing for us, and perhaps I will be gentle with you later."

He reached down and grabbed her coat by the collar and hauled her out of the hole. The men by the fire cheered when they saw her. Endrion had a firm hold on her arms to keep her from falling and he looked down at her with lust in his eyes.

"I love a good song," he said and then bent down by her ear and whispered. "It feeds the passion..." He licked the nape of her neck, and Jamie gagged. "Later, little one," he said and then bent down and cut the ropes at her feet. "Run, and I will give you to my men. I doubt you would live through it. Few have," he said sternly.

"Yes, go ahead and run," someone shouted.

Jamie's body hurt and her throat was dry. Endrion shoved her closer to the fire, looked at her and said, "Sing!"

Jamie tried to shut out everything and think of a song. The men sat there leering at her hungrily and she felt the bile rise in her throat. Finally, she forced herself to close her eyes, and the song came to her. She took a deep breath, and started to sing.

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of
A neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.

"fools" said I, " you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the signs said, the words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.
And whisper'd in the sounds of silence

(Simon and Garfunkle)

There was dead silence in the camp and Jamie stood, shaking from fear as she opened her eyes. The men looked at her curiously and Endrion stared in disbelief. Jamie slowly turned and looked up at him and there was tenderness in his eyes rather than lust.

"Woman, you are no peasant. No man will harm you," he said softly. "You will be my lady."

Jamie knew the time had come, and she wouldn't be able to stall anymore. But then the ground began to shake, and the forest around them seemed to roar…

Aragorn stopped to read the trail, and he was frustrated trying to track in the darkness. They'd been searching for a couple of hours and he knew it was a lost cause. He looked at Thelyn who looked ill. He'd seen that look before on his father's face many times. The Elf loved her, it was obvious. Aragorn just hoped they would get to her in time.

There was a rustle in the trees, and Aragorn jumped back on his horse and prepared to meet the approaching foes. But it was only Quickbeam that came into sight.

"Where is the Taure Lirilla?" he demanded, almost angrily.

"She was taken, and we are giving chase," Aragorn said.

Quickbeam gave a snort and headed into the wood behind them, "Then follow me, the trees are awakening, she is singing."

Quickbeam marched through the wood quickly following the whispers of the trees. In his ears it was like screams of anguish, begging him to hurry. His footsteps continued to gain speed until he heard her voice. The riders were right behind him. He was satisfied that they had found the right place.

Quickbeam burst out of the trees and the men scattered in terror. He saw Jamie standing beside the tree cutter, who quickly grabbed her by the hair and used her as a shield.

"I'll kill her, so get back," he ordered as he placed a dagger at her throat. Quickbeam stood still, and waited for his opportunity.

The riders filed out of the wood and formed a circle around the cornered Endrion. His men had fled, and he was alone, but he had Jamie, so they were cautious. Legolas and the twins had their arrows trained on him, but waited for Aragorn.

"You are beaten, Endrion, release her," Legolas said heatedly.

Jamie felt the dagger pressed more firmly against her throat and she took in a sharp breath.

"I can silence this songbird forever," Endrion said menacingly. "Back away!"

"And I will not kill you when you do," Thelyn said angrily. "I will torture you slowly until you beg for death!"

"Peace, Thelyn!" Aragorn said and then turned to Endrion. "Your moment of grace is slipping away, Endrion, so think carefully before you answer. What do you know of the King of the west?"

Endrion looked at Aragorn with interest. "Who are you?"

"I am Elessar," he said firmly. "I protect my own."

Endrion went pale. His death was certain. "Then my little one is not a peasant?" he whispered in her ear. He looked back at Aragorn and just said, "Make it quick." He dropped the dagger and shoved Jamie away from him. In a split second he had three arrows in his chest and fell back dead. Thelyn was off his horse at her side immediately.

"Jamie, my sweet, did he hurt you?" he asked as he helped her sit up and started untying her hands. Jamie was as white as a sheet, and in shock. She didn't speak, and Thelyn panicked. He looked at Aragorn who had joined them and weakly asked, "Uncle?"

Aragorn picked Jamie up and carried her to his horse. He was afraid to ask her what happened just yet. Legolas wrapped her in a blanket and helped him mount up. Aragorn cradled her in front of him protectively. She needed rest and care. He turned into the wood and headed back to their camp.

Thelyn kept pace beside him and stared at her. She'd fallen asleep, and he ached to be the one holding her. He wanted to go back and kill Endrion again for touching his Jamie.