Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it...
A/N: I love the song "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World! It's such a beautiful song! If you haven't heard it, try to find it. It's gorgeous. Hugs and bunnies!
Lalaith
Chapter Two
May Angels Lead You In May angels lead you in
Hear you me my friends
On sleepless roads the sleepless go
May angels lead you inElladan sighed as he and his twin, Elrohir, rode into Minas Tirith. Their father had sent them to acquire a text from the library here. Elrond's library was extensive, but Gondor's library still had some texts on healing that Elrond's library lacked. The twins had been sent to copy them. They reached the Citadel and were taken to see the Steward who granted them permission to find and copy the text. They were shown to rooms and a guide came.
"Would you like a tour of the city?" the young man, Elthir, asked. The twin shrugged, "As you wish," Elladan answered. They did not need a tour, they had been to the City many times, but it was too hard to find a polite way to refuse. Elladan knocked on his twin's door, "Come on, Ro, we're being given a guided tour of the city." Elrohir opened his door and sighed softly. Elladan nodded, "I know, but it was too much trouble to find polite way to refuse, besides, it's been what, twenty years since we were here last? You never know, maybe some things have changed." Elrohir rolled his eyes and followed Elladan to where their guide waited for them.
Ara's eyes stung as the leather strap connected with the back of his legs. Treneth had found him sneaking some of the scraps that were for the watchdog. He was so hungry! He had missed supper the night before and one of the older children had tripped him this morning on his way to sit at breakfast so he had spilled his thin gruel. Of course, Treneth had been furious about the mess and waste of food.
As one of his jobs that day, the boy was told to gather the half-rotten scraps from the rubbish pile and give them to the mangy, thin cur that served as a watchdog. The animal was quite fierce and often tried to attack whoever was feeding it. Ara had found that speaking a few words that his father had taught him seemed to keep the creature calm until he was able to set the food down and get out of the animal's way. What the words meant, he did not know for they were not in Common, but they sounded beautiful. Ara had been so hungry that he had slipped a handful of the dog's half-rotting meal for himself. Treneth had found him hungrily devouring the putrid meal in a corner when the boy didn't come right back after feeding the dog.
And so, he was beaten. A few tears leaked from his eyes but he did not make a sound as the leather connected again and again with the backs of his legs, his bottom, and back. With each contact, a new, red welt was left behind, some deep enough to bleed slightly. Finally, Treneth stopped. His upper lip curled in distaste, the man tossed two buckets at the boy, who had slumped to the floor in pain and weariness.
"Fetch water, boy, from the market street well, and be quick about it or I'll make this punishment feel like a gentle breeze," Ara struggled to his feet, picking the buckets up and Treneth yelled, "Git! NOW!" Ara stumbled away as fast as his injured legs would carry him, struggling not to drop the awkward buckets that were almost a third his size.
Once away from the orphanage, Ara slowed a little to give his abused legs a rest, though he did not stop. Some of the stall owners smiled at him as he passed, they knew him from his frequent forays to the market well. A woman at the well took pity on him and helped him to fill the large buckets, smiling as she handed them to him. He smiled at her, "Th-thank you, mistress..." he murmured, she smiled back and nodded. With one last nod, he set out back toward the orphanage toting the large, heavy buckets. Despite his best attempts to keep the water from sloshing out, the boy was soon soaked from the waist down, his hands and feet frozen from the icy water and bitter wind. He kept his head down, trying to stay as small as he could to avoid as many of the chilling gusts as he could. He did not notice the three people come around the corner just in front of him and they, so occupied by their conversation, did not see him. Suddenly, he connected with the one on the right, spilling the buckets of water all over himself and the person he had run into. The person let out a curse in some other language as the cold water soaked his breeches and boots. Ara fell to the ground, curling up in a ball, fearing the person would beat him. The boy, already shivering from the cold wind, now began to shake uncontrollably as the water sapped what little heat he had left in his body and fear of a beating gripped his heart. He flinched as a hand touched his head, then looked up at the unexpectedly gentle touch.
"Are you alright, young one?" the person asked, worry in his eyes and voice. Ara swallowed and dropped his gaze, confused, why was this person so kind to him when he had just spilled icy water all over him? The person knelt, "Please. I will not harm you...Are you well?"
Ara nodded, still shaking like the few leaves clinging to the trees in the brisk wind. The person frowned as he realized what little the boy was wearing in the chill, fall air. Suddenly, Ara spoke very softly, "P-please, sir...I-I am so sorry for running into you and getting you wet...Please, do not tell Treneth! I-I'll do anything! Please...Sila lummenn omentielvo...Please..." the boy pleaded, hoping the beautiful words would help calm any anger the person felt toward him. It was not that he thought the person was as simple as a dog, only that he did not know what else to say. His fear had gripped him so tightly, the only calming words he could think of were those he spoke every time he fed the raging animal that served as a watchdog.
Ara did not see the person's eyes go wide in surprise, nor did he see the identical look of shock on the face of the person's twin as they heard his words. More harshly than he meant, the person—Elladan—demanded, "What did you say?"
Ara shrank back at the tone, whimpered and replied, "N-nothing, sir! I-I am sorry to have offended you!" Elladan reached out to lift the boy's chin, but Ara was so frightened he did not understand what the Elf was going to do. Fearing a blow, the boy took off running. Elladan stood surprised for half a moment then made to run after him, but was stopped by Elrohir's hand on his shoulder, "Wait. You frightened him. You did not mean to, but you were rather harsh just now...Elthir, do you know how we might find that little one?" Their guide stepped up, "Milord, he is one of the orphans. I've seen 'im at the orphan house scrubbing the walk, when I've been on errands for the Steward." Elrohir nodded and noticed the boy had left behind the buckets, now empty. He lifted one and his eyebrows shot up, "How on Arda did that young child lift these? Let alone carry them, especially full of water!?" Elladan picked up the other and was surprised by the weight of it. He sighed, "I did not mean to frighten him...He was already terrified, you could see it on his face. And 'Ro, did you see how little he had on? The child must have been freezing!"
Elrohir nodded, "I know 'Dan...Elthir, would you please lead us to a place where we might refill these? And then show us to the orphan house you spoke of?" Elthir, surprised by the twins' consideration of one who was decidedly below their status, nodded mutely and set off toward the market. Once the buckets were filled again, the two Elves followed the young man through a maze of alleyways until they came to a decrepit dwelling, cracks in the plaster showing starkly against the whitewash. The front door was only just in place with rotting hinges and a rusty handle. The windows were cracked or completely broken out in most places. The stairs leading to the entrance were lopsided and several of the planks were rotted out. The roof sagged and did not look as if it would provide any protection from someone blowing lightly on it, let alone the harsh, strong winds, rains, snows, and other elements experienced by the city. Setting the bucket down, Elladan knocked on the door, noticing a small dwelling to his right, snug, well kept, and sure to keep out any of the elements.
"That's where the home's caretaker lives. Charge of the orphans too..." Elthir murmured, eyes downcast. Elladan frowned and knocked again. When he received no answer, he simply opened the door and walked inside, bringing his bucket. Elrohir followed and, more reluctantly, Elthir. An older child exited from a door to their left and froze, wide-eyed at seeing them there. Elladan smiled, "Hello, might I inquire as to where we might find someone who is in charge?" The girl nodded and pointed down the hall.
"Treneth's down there. He's mad at Ara, again..." the girl whispered, plainly frightened. Elladan raised an eyebrow, "Ara?"
"He was a'post ta get water from market...He's in trouble a'cos he got hisself wet and left the buckets somewhere," the girl whispered, she hesitated then went on, "I don' like it when Treneth's mad...It-it's scary...Ara don't like it neither...But Mardeth, Kelbern, and Josseth all'us are doin' stuff and getting him in trouble...I-I tried to help Ara...I did, but he tol' me not to. Said he didn' wan' Treneth getting mad at me fer helpin' him...What you want with Treneth?"
Elladan and Elrohir had listened to the girl with growing anger and started at this sudden change in topic. "We are here to simply return the buckets. I knocked...Ara, did you say?" when the girl nodded Elladan went on, "Ara down. It is why he was wet. He left before I could offer my help in refilling his buckets and bringing them back to his destination. I am afraid I may have frightened him. I wanted to make sure he is well..."
"Ara is 'kay...Or was...I'm not sure he's gonna be okay after Treneth's done...He always says he's fine, but..." she trailed off and blushed, feeling she'd said too much. Elladan and Elrohir shared an angry glance then turned back to the girl, expressions softening, "Do you know where these are supposed to go?" She nodded, "To the kitchen..." Elrohir nodded, "Here, take them there and take this as well for your help," the younger twin said, setting the buckets down and placing a gold coin in her hand. Her eyes widened, "Oh! S-sir! I-I couldn't! I-I don' deserve tha' much!" Elrohir shook his head, "Yes, you do. Now, go on...And thank you for your help."
The girl smiled and threw her arms around the Elf, then tore a strip of cloth which she tied around the coin and wrapped the free ends around her hand before picking up the buckets and disappearing down an adjacent hall.
The Elves and Elthir went down the hall the direction the girl had indicated. They were several doors away from the closed office at the end of the hall when the Elves sensitive ears picked up an angry voice and the thwap of a leather strap connecting with flesh. Soon words were made out and even Elthir could hear a man's voice wrathfully addressing someone, punctuated by the sounds of the leather hitting flesh. To their growing fear, they heard no cries of pain or fear, something they did not wish to hear but it would have told them that whomever the man was hitting was still conscious at least. Their anger mounted with each angry word and smack.
Anger consuming them, they did not even knock or call out, they simply walked into the room. The sight before them set their blood boiling. A man was standing over the boy from the alley—Ara—and he was beating the young child with a thick leather strap, stained with the boy's blood and probably others' as well. The child was on the floor curled in a ball, arms protecting his head as the beating was delivered. Elladan glimpsed his face through the space between his arms and noted the boy's cheeks were wet with tears but he was not making a sound.
The man stopped as he realized that someone had entered. He turned on them furiously, "What did I tell ye?!" he exploded, "Ye're not to come in here, ye little rats' bastards!" He stopped when he realized that it was not one of the orphans, "Who're you?" he demanded angrily.
"That is none of your concern. You will not touch that child—or any other—again! I swear by Elbereth, if you touch another hair on his head you will regret it!" Elladan thundered.
"This ain't any of ye're business! So get out! I'm in charge of these here gutter trash and I'll punish 'em as I see fit!" Treneth spat. Elrohir's jaw tightened. Elladan pushed the man against a wall, lifting him by his shirt and holding a small knife against his throat, "Be silent, filth. No child deserves such punishment, especially for something so small as spilled water and lost buckets! Rest assured I will speak to the Steward of this," Elladan growled. The man went pale and Elladan dropped him. The man got up and ran. Putting the knife back in its sheath up his sleeve, Elladan bent down and gently touched Ara's hair. The boy jerked away.
"It is alright, Ara...I will not hurt you..." he murmured, crouching down. The boy uncovered his head and looked up at the Elf. Elladan smiled, "Do you remember me? We met a short while ago, when we bumped into each other." The boy nodded, "I got you wet..." Elladan nodded, "Yes, but you were more wet than I," the Elf's brow furrowed, "I am sorry.." Ara blinked at him in shock, "For what?"
"That you were hurt..." Elladan whispered. Ara shook his head, "It wasn't your fault...Treneth's always mad at me for something...I should of watched where I was going, then I wouldn't of run into you and gotten wet and lost the buckets..."
"Your buckets are safe. We brought them for you. A girl took them to the kitchen for us," Elrohir replied, speaking for the first time.
"That would be Mearta, sh-she's always been real nice to me..." Ara said. Elladan studied the small form in front of him and noticed the child was shivering. Elthir had his arms folded in front of him and he shifted from one foot to the other, trying to stay warm.
"Are you cold, young one?" Elladan asked. Ara nodded hesitantly, "Y-yes, sir...But I'm always cold...Josseth usually takes my bedding...I-I've gotten used to it..." Elladan took off his cloak and draped it around the boy's shoulders. He felt Ara flinch and the boy winced momentarily. Elladan frowned, "What is it?" Ara bit his lip, "M-my back, sir..." Elladan's eyes widened, "Oh! I'm sorry..." He lifted the cloak and winced when he saw the raw, red welts, many of which were bleeding. He looked Ara in the eye, "Would you like to come home with us?" Elladan glanced at Elrohir and then looked back at Ara. The boy looked away, "I don't know...What about the others?"
Elladan watched him, "We'll make sure Treneth does not come near them or you ever again. My brother and I are healers, will you at least come with us for now? So we can look at your hurts and make them feel better? We'll send someone to watch over the others, but you need tending..." Ara looked at them a moment, hesitating. A gust of wind rattled the walls. Quietly, Ara asked, "You promise Treneth won't hurt them?" Elladan nodded, "I give you my word." Elrohir looked at the boy quizzically, "You would stay with them, if Treneth were to return? Even though he hurts you so? Even though they are little more kind then he?"
Ara nodded, "Not all of 'em are mean to me...Like Mearta, she always tries to help me where she can. If Treneth puts her on kitchen duty, cook gives her treats. She always saves some for me. And little Calen, he's so little he can't do anything to me...He's the only one younger than I am and Treneth don't like us younger ones. I-I've got to make sure Calen's okay. Kelbern and Josseth pick on him awful, but Mearta takes up for him. Mardeth won't let them hurt us if Mearta's around. Mardeth likes her but she won't even look at him. Told me it's because he's so mean and angry all the time and he picks on the little kids. Mostly though, everyone leaves me alone. Mardeth, Kelbern, and Josseth pick on me, Mearta sometimes tries to help, and I try to take care of Calen, but the other kids leave me alone, 'less Mardeth or one of them does something. Then they join in. They're almost as 'fraid of Mardeth and them as they are of Treneth..." Ara finally stopped and the twins exchanged a half-amused glance. Elladan nodded, "We see. Well, how shall we work this? Your hurts must be looked at, but you will not leave the other children until it is certain that Treneth will not return. We cannot possibly bring all of them to the Citadel, but I do not want to leave them in this place if we cannot arrange for some warm food and bedding...Elthir, what do you think we should do?"
The young man stepped forward from the doorway, "W-well, uh, sir...Wh-what about the Houses of Healing? There's room enough, at least for tonight, it's warm, and I'm sure they've got something that the young ones could eat...In the morning, the Steward can appoint someone new over the orphan home, and he'll probably send some workers to fix things up..."
Elladan smiled, "That is a good idea. Ara, will you come with us to tell the others?" The boy nodded and the two Elves turned to their guide, "Elthir, would you please inform the Houses of Healing that we will shortly be bringing the orphans in?" The young man bowed, "Of course, sir." Within a moment, Elthir was out the front door at a swift trot. The twins followed Ara into the large and drafty dining hall where the children were waiting for Treneth as it was custom that he oversee the cooks giving out the food so that they didn't favor anyone with extra portions—that would waste money.
The entire room fell silent as the children saw the twins and Ara enter. The little boy clung to Elladan's hand as if his life depended on it. Elladan reached down and picked the boy up then spoke the tables of children, "It has come to the attention of the Steward of this fair city that your caretaker, Treneth, is a dishonorable man incapable and unworthy of the responsibility he was given, which is to care for you. Therefore, we are here to take you to a temporary place at the Houses of Healing until a provision is made and another caretaker is appointed or families are found for you to stay with. If you would gather any belongings you wish to take with you and gather back here in a quarter of an hour, we will be on our way."
The children stared at the Elf in astonishment and disbelief then shot each other confused glances. Finally one of the older children spoke up. He did not look quite as mistreated as most of his comrades and his clothing was much better than most of the children's but by no means enough for the weather, "Why? Why should we go with you? And how did the Steward come to bother hisself over us? He never cared before."
Elladan felt Ara clutch him tighter at the boy's mean tone and smiled at the young child, then focused on the child who had addressed him, "What is your name?"
"Mardeth," the boy answered. Elladan nodded, "Well, Mardeth, you may stay here if you wish. You do not have to come with us, though I wager the clothing, bedding, and meals at the Houses of Healing will be far better than any you might have here. Not only that, but you will not be troubled by weak, thin walls that let in the slightest breeze. As for how the Steward came to know of your situation, that is none of your concern, though had he known sooner, he would have intervened. He did not appear to care before because he believed you to be well taken care of. He has sent funds to help pay for food and clothing and the upkeep of this place, which, obviously, Treneth misused. Now will you continue to argue or shall we all prepare to leave?" The boy rolled his eyes and walked out. Elladan nodded, "Meet back here in one quarter of an hour with your belongings." The children slowly got up from their places and filed out of the room, whispering amongst themselves. Elladan turned his head to look at the boy that still clung to him, "Ara, do you have anything you wish to take with you?" The boy shook his head, "I don't have anything to take..." The twins exchanged a glance and Elladan nodded, "I see. Well then, Ara, why don't we just sit down and wait for everyone, hmm?"
Ara nodded and laid his head on the Elf's shoulder. Suddenly the child spoke, very softly, as if he didn't want to anger the ones being so kind to him, "A-Ara is wh-what th-the traders c-called me...M-mama a-and p-papa c-called m-me A-arag-gorn..."
Elladan gasped and Elrohir looked in shock at the child, "Aragorn?" he asked. The boy nodded. Elladan took a deep breath, "Child, do you know your mother and father's names?" The boy nodded again, "P-papa's name is Ar'thorn. Mama's is Gil-Gilr-raen. P-papa was a Ranger, mama said...She said I could be one too when I grew up..." talking about his parents upset the young child and tears began to tumble down his cheeks, soaking Elladan's shirt. Elladan began to murmur comfortingly to the boy. Elrohir looked at them and whispered to his twin, "Do you think he knows that they are..?" Elladan nodded, "It would seem so...He does not seem to be waiting for them..."
Elrohir went over to his brother's other side and faced Aragorn, "Do you know where your parents are?" The boy shook his head and began to cry harder. Elladan waited until he calmed down and said, "Aragorn, we are friends of your parents." The boy sniffed, "Really?" Elladan nodded, "Really."
Aragorn spoke again, "Mama said she and papa had to go away...I was a'post to find I-Imladers...Sh-she said so, but I got lost..." the boy broke into tears again. For the second time in as many minutes, Elladan and Elrohir were shocked. They had found the Rangers' destroyed campsite, buried the people. Arathorn and several of the other Rangers were their friends. They had seen Aragorn as a baby, though it was obvious he did not remember them. They were so consumed by grief at the death of friends and angry with the evil that had taken their lives that they had not thought to look for the child. It had been, in all fairness, nearly five years since they had even seen the child. Their visits with Arathorn had usually been when the man came to Rivendell and they accompanied him on a hunt. Arathorn was a quiet, grim man, kind but not overly personable. His harsh life had taken a great toll on him. It saddened them greatly that they had not been able to save Arathorn or Gilraen, but that their late arrival had cause Aragorn suffering, more so than losing his parents to death, that broke the twins' hearts.
"Aragorn, child, we will take you to Imladris. It is our home and we would very much like you to come and stay with us. Is that alright?" Elrohir asked softly. Aragorn nodded, "Wanna go with you to Imladers..." Elladan smiled, "And you shall."
The twins noticed that many of the children were hesitantly slipping back into the room, some with small bundles, most with nothing at all. Smiling, Elladan beckoned, "Come." And the twin sons of Elrond led the band of orphan children out of the dark, cold orphan house along the streets to their temporary home.
A/N: Well, what did you think? It was rather long. I thought about breaking it into more than one chapter, but I rather liked it this long. I'm not sure when the next update will be. Oh, and for those of you waiting for the next chapter of Prejudices, that is on its way, I promise. Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think in a review! Hugs and bunnies!
Lalaith
Let me know what you think—the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. REVIEW!
