(-)Chapter 9(-)

A long month,- he thought angrily, he was becoming increasingly agitated. he still hadn't seen his brothers, Legolas or Nathil and he worried about them constantly. Sardyn had been sent out to take care of an orc problem at that dinner last month and hadn't gotten back yet. The elven child, whom he learned was named Khelekmeril, had been working, of course... and he saw her rarely.

He shook his head, he had been captive now for three months and two weeks. He didn't know why he kept track, something he did when he was extremely bored. He sighed and got back to work in the dirty stall. Venatral's guests had left the other day so he was back to his old job.

His gaze shot up hopefully when he heard a group of horses come towards the stables, he quickly ran through the doors and grinned when he caught sight of the men. He ran back in and gathered the stable slaves together to be ready to take care of the horses when they reached them.

Sardyn dismounted as soon as he reached the doors, as did the others, but they all left and he stayed. The slaves brought the horses in and as soon as they were inside Aragorn turned and grinned at him.

Sardyn smiled, "Hello again Ruith! How are you?"

"I'm well! And you? You're not injured?" Aragorn eyed him.

"No, of course n-"

"Yes you are," Aragorn muttered, smirking, "you injured your left leg and your right arm and there's a shallow cut on your side."

Sardyn blinked at him, "How did you know that?"

"You limp, that was obvious, well... not obvious but I noticed it, you favored your right arm when you were holding the reigns and your grip was looser in that hand. I know of the cut because it's bled through your overcoat," he said matter-of-factly, one eyebrow raised.

Sardyn blinked, "I see..."

"Indeed."

"You seem more confident," he muttered flatly.

Aragorn just grinned.

"Oh yes you do. So what happened while I was away?"

Aragorn groaned, "Nothing, I haven't seen or heard of the other four. The guests left the other day, oh, but I made a friend," he finished slowly.

"Oh? Who?" he cocked his head to the side slightly.

"An elven child, her name is Khelekmeril, she works in the kitchen."

"Ai... a child? This man disgusts me more with everything I learn."

Aragorn nodded, "Indeed," he suddenly realized he had the chance to tell the other that he was back to normal but he was interupted before he could begin when the other stable slaves came out.

"Ruith, are you going to help us?" One grumbled in annoyance.

"Of course," Aragorn growled, "but if I remember correctly I've been doing much more work than you and I covered up for you when you dissapeared two days ago."

The slave flinched, "Right... sorry."

Aragorn sighed, not having the chance to tell him now either for Tolinar came in at that moment, telling Sardyn that Lord Venatral wanted to speak with him.

Aragorn watched him leave and sighed, entering the stable and starting to work on one of the horses.

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Aragorn glanced about himself nervously, knowing if he got caught he could be in great trouble. He had managed to get down into the dungeon, he had to find the three elves and the teenager, he had to make sure they were well.

He finally located their cell and winced, they had been beaten, that much was obvious, but not badly so. Nathil sat in the corner shaking in his sleep, the three elves sat around him, half asleep.

He opened his mouth to call them but he paused when he heard light footsteps come down the hall, his eyes widened and he quickly fled around the corner, listening for the footsteps.

They stopped in front of the cell, "Well, looks as though you're ready for another turn in the back room."

The three elves shuddered as they snapped out of their half asleep state and just glared at the man.

The cell door was opened and the four were dragged out.

Aragorn sneered in disgust, his eyes widened suddenly and he spun as the sound of a second set of footsteps came from the other direction. He was in trouble now.

Suddenly Sardyn rounded the corner and paused in surprise upon seeing him there, "Ruith? What are you doing down here?"

Venatral froze from where he stood and turned, his guards continuing to take the other four to the other room, "What's this? I thought I told you you weren't to come down here."

Aragorn cursed inwardly and bowed his head, "I'm sorry M-master... I didn't me-an to... I didn't e-even realize where I w-as until just a mom-ent ago."

Venatral narrowed his eyes, "You will be punished for your carelessness then. Sardyn, bring him with me, he will join the other's punishment."

Sardyn flinched, "Do you not think that a little harsh sir? He didn't mean it I'm sure."

"Going soft Sardyn? Already?" the man sighed, "If this is how you're going to be I have no need of you."

Aragorn glanced back at Sardyn and nodded in the direction the others were taken, not wanting him in trouble.

Sardyn sighed, "Of course sir, I'm sorry, it was naught but a slip."

"Good, and simply to prove your loyalty to me, I want you to beat this one yourself," he glanced down at Aragorn with a slight sneer, "remember slave, you have it good. It could be a lot worse for you."

Aragorn pushed back the want to snatch the dagger Sardyn carried and stab this man to death, he wasn't going to let his emotions get the best of him and he refused to commit that crime again as he had with Kelanus.

Sardyn stood in shock, -I can't do that... I can't... I can't do that I can't!- this thought repeated continuously, "Of course sir. Not a problem."

"Good," Venatral grinned almost eagerly, "come then."

Sardyn sneered as soon as his back was turned.

Aragorn glanced over at him and offered him an encouraging smile, one that was there to half encourage him and half to ensure him that he didn't blame him for what was about to happen.

Sardyn walked slowly, his shoulders slumped, he just couldn't think of anything to get him out of it.

Aragorn reached out and gripped his shoulder, "Don't worry, I'll be fine, I've been through worse," he smiled slightly, hoping he would take the hint.

He didn't of course, figuring he was simply speaking of the beatings he had recieved from Kelanus.

Aragorn sighed and rolled his eyes slightly, this was a dense one... and he'd never hear the end of it, he grinned wickedly.

Venatral glanced behind him impatiently, "Hurry please!"

"Of course sir, sorry," Sardyn sped up immediately.

They reached the room swiftly, Aragorn gagged slighly at the stench, it wasn't strong but it was horrid. Venatral didn't seem to notice, neither did any of the other human's in the room. The elves did, they gagged just as he did.

The room smelled faintly of blood and burnt flesh.

The three elves glanced at each other in surprise when Aragorn entered the room.

The man was quickly chained a little ways away from the other four.

Venatral sat down in a chair away from them and nodded, "Proceed."

Four of his guards immediately got to work, Sardyn hesitated.

Aragorn nodded slightly, hating to make himself look scared.

The hooded man slowly lifted the whip he was given and began what he was expected to do.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Aragorn gasped as he rolled onto his back and winced, if only that had been the last time that had happened. It wasn't, obviously, the man couldn't help it, every once in a while he would defy the 'lord' and he would be punished, usually Sardyn was the one to do it as well. He sighed as he pushed himself to a sitting position, he knew it hurt him, he desperately wished, and for the first time in his life, that he could be less stubborn and simply, at least seem to, accept his enslavement.

The first time he had been beaten was now over four months ago. He had seen the other four once in a while, and he knew it hurt them to see him in there and hear him scream. That part he hated terribly, having to allow himself to scream.

Aragorn sighed, the time seemed to drag during his captivity. His eight months and one week suddenly seemed like many years. He just wanted out of here. He flinched as his wounds were stretched as he stood, he knew Sardyn would be in soon to attend to the painful welts.

He had not had a chance to speak with the other alone. Sardyn always had someone with him now, because of his display in the dungeon Venatral didn't fully trust him.

Sardyn opened the door slowly and stepped in, quickly followed by a guard.

The hooded being knelt beside the man and quickly cleaned and bandaged the wounds, shooting him an incredibly disstressed look.

Aragorn gave him a small, encouraging smile and sighed.

The guard didn't notice that, though he watched them closely. The looks were passed whenever the guard turned his head even for a second.

Sardyn stood when he was done and sighed, "There."

"Good, let's go," the guard grumbled unhappily.

Aragorn watched them leave with a sigh, quickly fixing the bandages, Sardyn was obviously not a healer and they had already slid and were coming loose. He smiled slightly, though it was empty, he had been trying to come up with a means of escape but so far had nothing.

He couldn't think of any way of getting the other four out, along with the elven child whom he had decided he would get out of here before it killed her. There just didn't seem to be any way to do it.

A/N

Elven Kitten: Hilo:) I decided to post quickly tonight instead of waiting for next week... cuz I'm reeeeaaaally bored right now... XP lol

BregoBeauty - He be an ebil guy... yesh... lol. I'm glad you like it!

IwishChan - Lol, shrugs

Aranna Undomiel - lol, I know... I was in the same position, just two days... XP, you are very right though... standing becomes a suddenly daunting task after that... XP lol. I'm glad you're liking it:)

Kalayna - lol, that was one of my greatest fears... lol, I'm glad you like her :)

Microchips - O.o... okay... you go right ahead and smite the deadness... (don't know what good it'll do but okay :)) lol, pfft, suddenly being nice to teh elves?

Nessa Ar-Feiniel - Is confused faded into the background? Um... I think the answer is that he is simply pretending to be as he was before or else they'd throw him into the dungeons as well and they'd have even less chance of escape. I hope that answers your question :S

marbienl - lol, I've always found the elven/human age differences amusing... I don't know why... they just is. :) lol. O.o... the chick is scary... that's all I have to say about that... o.O... lol! I hope you liked the chapter:)

E.K.: Well... that's it. So yeah... I'll see you all again on Wednesday:) Namarie!

Elenmeoi