To My All-Inspiring Readers:
laer - No pun taken, lol! Aw, crying at work over a story is the worst because then people ask you what's wrong and all you can say are things like, "He's dead!" or "They're getting married!" etc, etc. lol. I feel your pain. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts!
pamie884 - Oh, good! I was so worried about the abduction scene - I am glad you liked it! Whew! Yes, Haldir better kick it in gear if he wants Ashk and Onduras back, no? I hope the target practice on Haldir was fulfilling, lol!
Scarlett-Moonchild - Hahahahaa! That dunking scenario was enjoyable to say the least! Heh! Yeah, and can you believe I almost had the idea of killing off Ana? For just about a day I did some while ago, but a better idea rolled around. Evil grin Hah! No worries, I won't post The Mage till I'm done with this one. I'm almost done too! Tears up Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Norie Ape1 - Heh! Great - I hope she holds up to expectations in the next chapter. Thanks, Norie!
moxie - That's good enough for me! Heh, thank you!
tree topper - Haha! Well, at least you hit him! I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn even if I tried. I would just run up to the target and punch it or something, heh!Ooo! I'm glad you caught that link between the tragedy and Ashk's encounter with Haldir. I was almost afraid I made that too vague. Glad you enjoyed!
DMH1973 - Well, I can't tell you either way - but a confrontation is nearing! Heh.
Julia - Yeah, those guys have the blame a bit wrong there if you ask me. Yay! You grabbed the intersection there on the two stories! Whew! I was worried it was too vague for everyone to note that. Yeah, Orophin came out to be my hero in that chapter. There is a deep story behind Haldir's parents that may be revealed in this story or in another..I haven't decided yet. Yeah, just keep your ticket for the dunking booth and use it when ready! Lol!
Firera - Haha! I agree, they never know. Poor Ashk is right - I would have killed someone. And Haldir is slowly coming around. He takes a big step in this chapter - I was so proud! Lol! Enjoy!
Gypsy Kittens - Heh! I can't tell you! But Haldir is so running to the "Calvary on the Way" theme right now. Lol. Thanks! Hope you like this chapter!
kbluesmom - Wow, glad you like the story! Unfortunately, this Haldir gets to go on the 'achievements' shelf downstairs. Don't worry, you can come visit - lol!
Shallindra - Oh, goodness...I'm so sorry that I've seemed to added to that horrible grief. I hope that sometime you can come back and read this all right. My condolences and I would hug you if I could.
legolasnDcolorblueinterestme - Yes, the oaf finally admitted his love. If I could slap him, I would. Is that a song? I don't know it. Hmmm.. Holy crap. Thorns. Swords. These are all very sharp objects that I dislike, lol! Yeah, I went for sentimental with the Iron Heart himself in the 'confession' scene. I liked how it turned out, I'm glad you did too. Oo, you got the interwoven past thing too. Whew! I was worried. Bah Ha! Like a tiger sizing up a zebra. That there is classic! That was too funny!
Artemis1860 - Aw, cry? Hands over a tissue Trust me, just wait for a few more chapters. I will be giving out tissues by the carton. I even cried writing the dang thing! Heh, nice shot. Sounds like me, lol! Glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you!
sixtysix - Wow, that's so...flattering! I'm so happy you like the story - I love writing it. I really do. Thanks so much and I hope you like this chapter!
Saeleth Tinuviel - No problem! Glad you took the time to drop a note! Thank you!
snakefeather - Oh dear! Don't cry cause I didn't update! I'm updating a day early! However, I am glad that the chapter was good for you. And thank you! I was worried about catching everyone's thoughts correctly and whatnot. In such chaos, it's a hard feat to control! Lol. I hope you like this chapter! Next one is one of my personal favorites..heh!
Ms. Unknown - She nearly did! When I was plotting out the story, she actually was going to. However, I found a much better purpose for Little Ana. Grin Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thank you!
poolbum - Well, I'm glad you dropped a comment by, that's great! Thank you so much! Oh dear...Haldir, sopping wet. I enjoy that. Thinks really hard Hmm...That must interject somewhere in this story, lol! Perhaps a pool party at the end? Lol! Jk!
varda101 - lol! That was a great review, Varda! I enjoyed it! Heh! I hope you like this chapter as well!
Kathy-SFF - Ick. Work. I just put in an eleven hour day today...Yes, a Sunday. I was upset. Wow, that's such a compliment to a writer for the reader to see the characters. Thank you! Yeah, I had been plotting with Haldir's 'mistake', as he sees it, for a while. It felt good to finally get it out there. Request noted, hehe. Thank you so much!
Coolio02 - Well, I certainly can't tell you if he does or not! Updated a bit early, I hope you like!
Shaman'sBlade - Wow! Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying! Thanks!
Pippinsgal011890 - Whew, I nearly made you cry? Goodness! Ana has some affect on people! Lol. Haha! You just beat up Donavon! The poor kid is grieving! LOL! Okay, the ninth it is then. You talked me into it, lol! No, I just began chapter 26 which should be the last. It is explained at the end of this chapter. Enjoy!
Claire - Hmm...Well, I'm glad different wasn't a bad thing. Chapter 26 is very different from what I've written normally with this story. I hope it works out all right. Thank you!
LJP - Supplies bat Have at it, chick. However, I think he will win you back in the end. Even I was ready to beat the bloke. No, he's obviously too hard on himself. Galadriel helps him along with that matter in this chapter. Lol! Punched him, huh? Gah, that kid is getting beat up from you readers! LOL! I'm glad you enjoyed - Hope it's the same for this chapter!
huntress73 - Yeah, took him long enough, didn't it? He did have a fairly good reason for being distant though - If you're a sympathetic person...Which I most certainly am NOT. Lol! It seems Ashk is though. Lucky for him. Bah ha! I would hope Ashk wouldn't be like that, lol! Perhaps Aluna, but not good ol' Ashk. Heh! Haldir has some tribulation to deal with in the next few chapters, poor guy. Yeah, that's why when you get directions...you write them down. Hah! Haldir may win you in the end - He did me and I nearly hated the bugger by now, and I wrote him! I'm weird. Lol. Enjoy the chapter!
toratigergirl11 - Thanks! They had her son though, if she fought any more, they might of hurt him! Poor little boy. He'll need a therapist in his life! HAHA! You just killed my bad guys - LOL! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one - But the next one is what I'm looking forward to. Heh! Thanks!
celebrian - Whew! You've been around for a while. It seems like this story is lasting forever, but I'm loving writing it! I'm so close to being done, it's sad. Thanks for the hugs and luck, I need them! Enjoy!
Laer4572 - HAHA! That's hilarious. Poor March Warden. At least he's starting to admit when we're all right! Aw, you cried? Just think - when I plotted this story out, Ana was going to die! However, I found better purposes for her. Evil Grin. Yes, thank God he finally caught up with the crowd. Now he needs to haul tail so it's not wasted! Heh, tickets will be going on stand within the next two weeks! Yay! Hope you like this chapter!
WHEW! That took a really long time. So long that my butt actually hurts, but it's worth it guys! Thank you all so much for you dedication and your wonderful comments and encouragement. You've all really helped me with my writing!
Thanks and I hope you enjoy the chapters to come!
Chapter Twenty-Three: Captive
Noon
Ashk
I'd awoken only fifteen minutes ago, but the world only blurred by. I could hear my son crying but I couldn't bring myself to find him. The black satin bag was over my head again, but it may have been for the best. If I looked at that child, I knew I would only see the daughter I'd lost.
When I closed my eyes, I saw my home burning...the cries of an innocent baby ripping into my ears.
Days I'd been with my daughter slid by me…So little time with my girl. She was to be an immortal, never to die, never to be buried before her mother. A parent was never to bury their child...Never.
She was supposed to grow into the elegant beauty all those of her kind had. She was to live years into eternity, and find adventures and quests in her life to live through only to become stronger in the days to come. She was to find a love of her own, marry, and have her own perfect children. And to those children, she would tell them the tales I could never tell her.
Oh, this was not to be her fate! This wasn't supposed to happen!
I wept bitterly unable and unwilling to stop my own grief. The man I rode with demanded my silence several times, but I could barely hear him.
Suddenly, there was a loud curse. Shouting erupted, and the horse stopped.
Someone's hand grabbed me and pulled. I felt myself falling but landed limp on the ground that was hard as rock. I heard myself gasp but their voices reached me through the noise.
"It was that boy! That nephew of yours!" cried a man and I heard a scuffle not far away. Boots hit the ground, men were stumbling about, horses were trying to back away and I didn't move.
"He couldn't have saved her!" hissed a man and my breath paused.
"He did, you fool! I warned you not to leave that boy there!" cried a man. "This is your fault! We should have just waited for the Warden and killed him then!"
"Shut your face!" exclaimed Ermone. "With that house burning, that child inside, the March Warden knows just how far we will go whether or not that child died!"
Oh dear Gods...My Ana was alive. Donavon had saved her!
Amongst my tears, I heard myself laugh and the men around me fell silent.
I was whipped to a stand and the bag over my head was ripped away. A strange man's face thrust into mine.
"You laugh, woman!" he demanded, shaking me.
I continued to laugh at him solely because of the thick joy in my heart. Moriana was alive. It didn't matter where I was now or what I'd just heard about my husband. Moriana, my daughter, was alive! She'd live to see days long past my years.
Thank you, Valar!
"Laugh, woman," growled the man. "And I'll see both you and your son dead."
Nearby, Onduras was still crying.
My drunk feeling of joy slowly ebbed as I stared into that man's eyes. In their green depths, I saw something pure and clear. Hate. Pure, clear, obvious, burning hate.
"What do you want with us?" I hissed at him, feeling as my tears of once grief, then joy, simmered away.
His gruff hand clenched around my jaw. "I want vengeance," he growled at me. "You husband took my family...Now I'll take his. And I'll take his life too!"
Fear rippled in me.
"He'll come for you," he hissed at me. "He'll come for you and his son...And when he does he'll feel pain! In his soul and on his body!"
"You're mad!" I cried, shoving at him.
He only laughed.
Haldir
"Haldir…"
I looked up at Lord Celeborn as he stood on the flight of stairs above me. His face was layered in grief and sympathy, and that raw emotion from him made me look away.
I'd been forced to return to Caras Galadhon. Orophin and Rumil had nearly wrestled me from my horse and I was ashamed to say I had every intention ignoring both them and my Lady's words. I wanted neither their sympathy nor their help. Some part of me knew that I could slaughter the men who threatened my family without help...
But, alas, logic returned to me. Even if I did slaughter those men, it would not stop them from killing both Ashk and our son.
I shuddered at the thought.
"Come, Haldir," Celeborn said, suddenly at my side. His hand landed on my shoulder. I started and he only peered at me.
In silence, I allowed him to guide me down the stairs.
"Sit," Celeborn told me, motioning to a bench as we entered a familiar garden.
My poor Warden.
I was not startled by her voice returning to me. In my mind, I saw her looking at me painfully and I couldn't break that gaze as I longed to.
Are they alive?
My question stung both my mind and hers.
Yes, Haldir. They are alive.
I shifted.
..Will they remain that way?
Only silence came from her and I felt a hand I could not see touch my shoulder gently.
The future is ever changing, my Warden.
I shook my head, trying to fight the urge to lean my face into my hands, hiding my utter grief from the Lord of the Wood who watched me in silence.
They travel west into the mountains, Haldir. Captives of grief, those men will do anything to know they are harming you. You must be careful how you handle this.
Her voice was gentle but with a stern note in it.
You cannot do this alone - You will need help.
I glanced around the empty garden as if I would see someone spite Lord Celeborn.
From who? Who would follow my command in search of a wife and child no one even knew existed?
My thoughts were bitter. What a fool I was to let this to happen.
Your command is followed by any, Haldir. You know this. Call for aide, and it will come. Take as many volunteers as you need.
The sternness had faded, but she still seemed urgent.
You have waited long enough - Do not make your family wait any longer than they already have. You can still mend the past.
I nodded to myself slowly, even as doubt still remained.
Haldir, I have said this before...The death of those families was not on your shoulders. Had those men followed your directions, this would not have happened - But fate is what it is, my Warden.
Again, I felt a gentle hand before my mind dimmed and I knew the Lady of Light had left my thoughts.
Lord Celeborn looked at me expectantly. "You wish to see the Galadhrim Guard in audience, yes?"
I could only nod.
Rumil
What on earth was he doing?
Orophin and I glanced at each other in dismay as Haldir entered the dining room Lord Celeborn had the Galadhrim to. All of us were watching as the March Warden strolled in with a yearling Elleth in his arms. No one knew the child he held was his own daughter.
The sea of Elves parted in greeting as he walked through them.
I'd never seen my brother's face more of stone in my life. No feeling breached that wall he held in front of him. No thought - Nothing.
The room was silent when he'd passed his troops and he turned to face us. There were five Wardens here including Orophin and myself and we stood together. He glanced at all of us to the side.
"Many of you in this room have families," Haldir said, looking to the watching Galadhrim. "Wives...Children."
A few nods passed the mass of fair colored heads.
Haldir paused and I felt myself hold my breath.
"...I too have a wife and children," he said, looking at his daughter.
Shock rippled. Orophin looked as though he'd pass out and I barely recovered my breath as I looked to our eldest brother. He, however, looked more refined than a statue, watching his words ripple through the crowd.
"You jest, March Warden!" someone called.
Haldir looked that direction. "I do not," he replied.
Silence fell again and he shook his head. "Hidden in secret for my own sake, they have stayed in Celebruim for over a year now. ...This is my daughter; Moriana. She has a brother, Onduras."
Frantic whispers exploded and I watched my brother warily. Why was he doing this? Some sort of redemption for the time passed?
"Why have you not revealed them, Haldir?" Ferevellon asked and Haldir looked at him.
"My wife is human, Ferevellon. My children are half-breeds," he said, shifting his daughter. "The woman from last winter's ball - Ashk. She is my wife, the mother of my children."
"Ah-Ha!" someone exclaimed with a hardy bellow. "I knew there was something about her! I knew it!"
Laughter slowly filtered over the room as others burst gossip about Ashk and the Warden.
"Warden, you tell only us this...Only your command and you look so glum even with that child in your arms," said a Warden beside me. "What is it you still hide?"
Haldir cleared his throat. "Men went to my wife's home this morning," the room fell silent, "They crave revenge on me and seek it through my family." My brother continued to explain what had happened in Celebruim that morning and I watched in awe.
I could not believe was he was admitting to his Galadhrim. I could hardly believe that he was finally, finally, taking his family out of the shadows when they needed him most.
And as his sad tale ended, the room remained silent and he peered at those who watched him with dogged disbelief and shock.
Haldir's shoulders straightened and he took a deep breath, glancing at the ground before looking up once more. "My children are innocent and I love them more than I could possibly put into words," he said softly as Little Ana laid her head on his shoulder. "Contrast to common belief - I honestly do have a heart, and it belongs to them."
He then glanced at Orophin and I, a strange sort of ill sadness in his eyes.
"My wife is innocent," he said, looking away from us. "...And I love her more than I could possibly put into words."
I felt myself sit abruptly in a chair near me. Orophin's hand gripped my shoulder with a bruising strength even as he stared at our brother.
"I need help to bring my wife and son back - to save them," he continued. "Though I have hidden them from you for so long now, I selfishly need the aide of the Galadhrim Guard."
At first, there was only a reeking silence. I glanced at the Galadhrim around us as they all peered at each other and stared at Haldir as if he was a new creature bathed in a heavenly light.
It was Ferevildir who stepped forward first. "You have my aide," he said, his voice ringing with pride.
"And mine," his brother quickly added.
Other declarations rang out across the room until they chorused together. Over the crowd, Haldir's eyes looked to Orophin and I. Slowly, I pushed myself to a stand, silently committing myself to him.
His nod was slow and understanding.
Donavon
Idiot! What an idiot I was!
For months, over a year now, I'd been in the presence of the very person who had taken everything from me. For so long I found myself yearning to be accepted by him - to receive his approval for no other reason than a childish wish of a father-figure.
How could I not see it in him? Was my mother not right - were all murderers not evil? Why could I not see this in Haldir of Lorien?
Some part of me tried to argue with this enraged being I had become. Some whispered voice was trying to tell me to calm down and rethink this...But how could I? My family had been killed because of that Elf - Did I not seek the revenge my uncle did? What loyalty did I have to Haldir and Ashk that I did not have greater to my family?
I shook my head to myself.
Ermone had left me in his inn room the night before. And when morning had come, I woke...and I felt dread in me so deep it was as if I would lose my family all over again.
The door had been locked and braced, but I knew something horrible was going to happen - or already was. I'd tried to make enough noise to gain attention for someone to come to my aide, but no one did.
With no other choice, I smashed out the window and slid down the roof only to hit the ground running towards the house I knew Ashk and Haldir were at.
I didn't much remember what had happened first. I saw the house burning, and I saw men riding away as if the fire would reach for them. I heard a child among them crying and wailing...yet, it was drown away when I heard a child in the house.
And like some hero I wasn't, I raced inside, picking my way through the flames and dashed upstairs.
I didn't even remember where I found Ana nor how I got out of the house. But when I did, arms of the people of Celebruim embraced me and the child.
Not long after, he came...and as soon as I peered at him looking for the truth, I saw it. Before I even asked questions - I saw it.
How could I have been so blind?
How I'd suffered because of him...And now Ashk and his son would suffer now too.
The thought left me feeling ill. Did Ashk even know what Haldir had done?
Still in sight of Celebruim, high on the hills of Rohan, I looked west to the mountains in the distance; the mountains my uncle and the other men had taken Ashk and Onduras. The sun was past noon now and as it leaned further into the west, the shadows of the great mountains stretched as if hands reaching for something.
If Ashk discovered that she and her son were being used to hurt Haldir, I knew she would try to interfere.
What was I thinking? Ashk was going to put up a fight no matter what. Silently I feared that if she did she would only make things worse. Burning that house with Moriana inside only proved the determination of her captors - my kin. If she took one wrong step, I doubted they wouldn't hesitate to kill her just as brutally.
No matter how I hated Haldir, I could not hate his wife. It was impossible. Ashk had been a gentle friend when I needed her and a steady by-stander when I did not want her.
Could I not help her now when she and her son needed me?
There had to be another way to finish with Haldir without using his family - his innocent family.
They were as innocent as mine had been...
I shuddered at the thought as my eyes scanned to the smoldering, black pit that was once a beautiful home. In the fields nearby, Black was standing rigid as he stared at Lorien.
There had to be a way I could help Ashk.
Nearly Evening
Haldir
Where were they? What were they doing? Was Onduras sleeping or awake to witness his world shifting into some horrible nightmare? What was Ashk thinking - Was she hurt? Were either of them hurt?
The thought battered at me before Orophin nudged my arm, drawing me from the terrifying thoughts.
"I should have kept them in the city," I said softly. "I shouldn't have hidden them so far away. I shouldn't have hidden them..."
Orophin looked at me but I could not bring myself to look at him in return.
First anger had come, then fear - utter fear - then anger again as a claiming want for vengeance. But, now there was guilt. A steady weight upon me as my darkest imagination heard my son's wailing - my wife's weeping.
Would I see my son's bright eyes, always so full of life, dull with an untimely death? A death that stung of innocence and grief. Would I never see him walk - Never hear his first words?
Would I never have the time to tell Ashk how sorry I was for what I had done - the distance I had kept her at bay with. I longed to tell her I loved her in every language I could find and to never let go of her again.
They could kill her…
Orophin could only clench my shoulder.
"They will be all right, Haldir," he told me. "Don't grieve so hastily – We'll get them back."
I stared at him a moment, his will to believe trying to overcome me and I offered a forced smile.
Rumil joined us then before turning to look at the mass of Elves he'd just emerged from.
"Many have come," Rumil said as we peered at the legion of Elves.
I had requested only twenty, yet others were demanding to join still. Not all whom we watched now would join in this hunt but they had still come.
The loyalty of my command had been something I obviously underestimated. Rumors of others on the borders requesting their return to help had not been hidden from me, nor were the freshly returned platoon of archers who were demanding they come as well.
The last of the chosen boarded their horses. Their armor was covered by the green cloaks of Lorien. Their bows strapped to their backs, and their swords at the sides of all.
"You're certain about this?" Rumil asked, his niece in his arms.
I had asked Rumil to remain behind, much to his anxiety. However, I needed him to stay with my daughter. Though I could have left her with Celeborn, it was my brother I wanted to be with her. She had been grown quiet in the time after we left Celebruim. She was silent now - hours after the incident.
"I need you to stay here, Brother," I told him. He sighed slightly, disappointment and turmoil reflecting in his face, but he nodded.
"March Warden, the Galadhrim are ready," said Ferevellon, his eyes as hard as granite. He was set to be married in two months and his future wife herself had the boldness to approach me only a short time ago and give her own condolences.
I nodded to him and turned to my daughter. She had her thumb in her mouth as she laid into my brother's shoulder. However, when I offered my hands, she moved to fall into them.
My little Ana whimpered slightly as she clung to my neck and I felt it like a kick to the gut. I swallowed and embraced her as tightly as I dared to without crushing her.
"Be a good girl," I told her, kissing her hair before brushing my hand through the soft tendrils. "I will bring Ama and Muindorback," I whispered to her. "I promise."
The child sniffled before leaning back to look at me, a hand rubbing into her tired eyes.
I smiled sadly at her. "Do you love your ada?" I asked her, nodding my head. She mimicked me before kissing my nose without prompting. I smiled as my brothers chuckled. I pulled my daughter close once more and she burrowed into my neck.
"She will be all right here," Rumil said with a half-smile, forced as it was. "You just focus on Ashk and Onduras...Bring them home, Haldir."
I tilted my head with a single nod before my brother offered his hand. I clasped it before he pulled me to him, embracing me while minding my daughter.
When I said my last farewells to both my youngest brother and my daughter, Orophin and I turned and pattered down the stairs. Our horses were brought forward and I mounted swiftly. However, I nearly fell off her back when I turned to see who was nearest to me.
"My Lord," I managed. "What-"
Lord Celeborn looked at me. He wore armor under his cloak. I knew because of the arm guards I could see around his wrists. A bow was across his back and nestled with his arrows were the two blades he fought with...I had not seen them in many years. Not since his lessons with young Legolas of Greenwood.
"I may not be among your command, Warden, but you can't leave me behind. You have no choice but to have me here," he warned as I took a breath to ask him to stay.
"But, Caras Galadhon-"
"This is not the first time both my wife and I, along with our reigning Warden, have been gone in unison, Haldir. Galadriel will return come tomorrow's noon," he told me with a glaring eye. He motioned before us as if opening a road. "Make your way, March Warden."
I stared at him a moment before glancing at Orophin. He raised his shoulders briefly before I turned Kali about. Ready Galadhrim looked back at me before I raised my hand over my head.
"Hail, Galadhrim!"
"Hail!" the chorused called returned like crashing water.
The horses below all of us shifted in unison, charging forth as Orophin and I led the first lines that thinned among the forest trails. Voices of the city called on luck and fortune and the horses echoed their ever-present battle cry before we disappeared among the trees.
Dusk
Ashk
"I would suggest not trying anything," Ermone told me as he latched my wrist to shackles snared to the base of a huge bolder.
"No promises," I growled back, trying to throw my hair out of my face so I could glare at him.
However, he only laughed.
"Ashk, darling, we are within the Misty Mountains now - Do you honestly think if you did escape, the Orcs here would not pick you off only minutes after leaving this camp?" he sneered with a chuckle before motioning to a man nearby.
"You're lying," I replied with a frown even as fear cloaked over me.
"Do I?" he questioned. "I pray you do not find out for yourself."
The man he beckoned shifted a bundle into Ermone's arms that he hastily passed off to me. Something shuddered through me as I held my son for the first time that day. I cradled him close, ignoring Ermone and any other near me.
Onduras's eyes were slightly puffy and red from his crying. However, as he looked at me, his little fists clenched in the shirt of my dress and he clung to me.
"It's all right, sweetheart," I whispered to him, my cheek rubbing against his hair. "We are going to be just fine," I said, assuring more myself than him if he even understood me. Onduras peered at me and in his eyes, I saw his father.
These men would kill Haldir if they had the chance - us too.
If only I could get away. They would have no leverage then. They couldn't threaten Haldir with us if we escaped.
My eyes shifted upward to see the men some distance away, spread amongst a handful of fires. There had to be nearly three dozen men here...Maybe more. We had merged with another group some time ago, but I hadn't noticed to the number that had nearly tripled. Most were quiet now, thought thick in their eyes.
The one who I'd first seen earlier in the day after I'd discovered Ana's survival, the one with green eyes and a harsh voice, looked at me. I stared back at him, unwilling to back down in this silent challenge.
He tilted his head before shifting and getting up. The others around him glanced to see what was going on, but none said anything.
The man strolled over to me and crouched down, looking at my son.
"He is a good boy," he said. "Brave for a child." His eyes flickered up to mine. "Does he take after his father, I wonder...Or his mother?"
I said nothing in return. Could he see how I was hiding my shaking hands by clenching my son? I wouldn't even be surprised if he heard my heart hammering against my chest and banging in my ears.
"It's a pity," said the man. "You are a fine woman, Ashk...I do hope your husband doesn't make me hurt you." He almost managed to sound sincere, but there was laughter in his eyes.
"You're sick," I hissed. "What did Haldir do to make you do this?"
Any amusement slid away and a hallow darkness slid over his eyes. It screamed of a pain so similar to one I'd seen before, I barely contained a gasp.
"My lord," I greeted, sliding the hood away. "Would you like something to eat?"
His eyes flashed to mine and I recoiled at the pain I saw there as he slid his glass towards me.
He said no more and I swallowed. "You were in so much pain when I first saw you," I said, remembering how he'd looked. His voice had been low and grinding, his eyes a hallow void of everything but a pain that did not ail his body.
Haldir only nodded. "I was."
"Your husband, Mistress, is responsible for the death of dozens of innocents...My wife and child two of them," he growled at me, the rage I'd seen earlier that day returning. "I will not see him go without punishment."
"What are you–" I frowned, unable to grasp this. "He would never do anything like that!"
"Wouldn't he?" the man questioned, his green eyes flaming. "We will see how well you know your husband, Ashk...If you have the time," he said, sniggering like a madman.
"He'll kill you," I warned, trembling with something near rage and something closer to terror.
The man smiled at me standing. "Some things are worse than death, Ashk," he told me, "As your Haldir will soon agree." His hand reached forward, tweaking a lock of my hair before I jerked away.
He chuckled again before turning and walking away.
I stared after him before looking at my son.
We had to get away from here...We had no choice but to escape.
- - -
Argh! Today I started on chapter 26 (the last chapter) and I will tell you honestly that I nearly cried at one point..(yeah, me - the author! The one that comes up with this stuff!)..I mean honestly, that is just sick. Anyway, thought I would just warn you guys.
Chapter twenty-six should be the last chapter - however, an epilogue will most likely follow. No more than a few pages (not my monster chapters).
Anyway - Next update will be Thursday, January 13th
P.S. For those of you still musing about Aluna's powers, the answer is finally given in chapter 25...Mwhaha!