Probably best to stay behind the sofa for this one!
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Forever Yours
Chapter 9
Illadris rushed outside the inn and swiftly mounted her horse. She threw Arien's cloak over the back of the steed and took up the reins of other spare animal urging them in the direction of Lothlorien. She was eager to return in order to put the final details of her plan in place. She passed silently through the borders once more and continued on until she reached the glade. Setting the horses free, she searched through the nearby undergrowth for the body of a wild bore she had shot early that morning. She turned her attention to Arien's cloak and began to tear it repeatedly. Slitting open the body of the creature, she smeared copious amounts of blood onto the cloak and dragged the bleeding creature through the undergrowth, ensuring some of the blood was left on the higher branches. Illadris realised that she too was covered in blood but it did not concern her; it would only add credence to her story. She studied the scene and decided it looked most convincing and proceeded to bury the remains of the animal. That done, she took up her bow and fired many arrows haphazardly into the bushes and trees. Illadris surveyed the scene before her and a feeling of satisfaction flowed through her.
"Perfect!" she said to herself. "When I send them to this place they will not doubt that I speak the truth concerning the fate of their precious princess. I can almost hear the laments they will sing for her and not even a body to grieve over! How sad!"
Illadris finally made some tears in her own clothing, threw Arien's cloak into the bushes and started to run back towards Caras Galadhon.
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Legolas sat in the dining hall in the company of Haldir. He was awaiting the return of his sister, knowing she would wish to tell him of the events of the day. He regarded the Marchwarden with a look of curiosity.
"You have been quiet all evening, my friend," he said to Haldir. "Are there perhaps thoughts in your mind you would like to share?"
Haldir smiled and replied;
"I do not know if I can tell you that of which I am thinking for it concerns one who is dear to both of us."
"Then you must reveal all, for the welfare of one dear to me is always of great importance." Legolas returned, amicably.
"Very well then, I shall tell you," said Haldir, "though I do not know how you will take what I am about to say. I have this day been consumed with thoughts about your sister. In my memory she was always a small child. I never thought of her as a grown elleth until I beheld her again. Now I can think of little else save Arien. Her beauty and grace have captivated me and I fear that when in her presence my thoughts go far beyond that of friendship."
Legolas looked kindly upon his friend and a gentle smile played about his mouth.
"I cannot say I am surprised, Haldir, for I felt all those years ago in Eryn Lasgalen that a special bond existed between you both. Never have I seen Arien so at ease with anyone outside her family, be it then or now. Know that you face no opposition on my part as nothing would make me happier than a union between my dearest sister and one of my closest friends, although do not assume I will be eager to discuss the matter with my father should cause arise!" laughed Legolas. "Come, let us take a walk and you can tell me more of your intentions!"
The two left the hall and began a leisurely stroll through the trees of the city.
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The wardens at the great gates to Caras Galadhon heard Illadris long before she was in sight. They were startled by the alarm in her voice and a few ran out to meet her. They were shocked to behold the panic-stricken blood covered elleth who ran toward them. They began to fire questions at her but she only said;
"Arien! A warg took her! I tried, I really tried but I could not stop it! She is gone!"
Illadris said no more but sank to her knees as though in a state of total exhaustion.
Rumil was among the wardens and immediately he heard the dire news, turned and ran back through the gates. He sent word to the lord and lady and the Marchwarden was urgently sought out.
It did not take long for Haldir to be located. He was still in the company of Legolas and was shocked to see one of his Galahadrim in such an obvious state of panic. Without displaying the usual formality accorded to his superior and not noting the identity of Haldir's companion, the warden stated bluntly;
"Princess Arien has been attacked! We fear the worst! Come, you are needed!"
Legolas paled visibly. For a moment he did not move until Haldir shook him to realisation.
"Legolas, fetch your weapons and come to the gate!" he barked.
Legolas awoke from his daze and immediately did as he was bid.
A short time later, a large party of wardens gathered at the gates and awaited their instructions. Celeborn had joined them and he took Haldir to one side;
"I will allow Legolas to accompany you for I feel to do otherwise would not be advisable. Do not, however, permit him to undertake anything alone and should the news be grim…."
Celeborn halted in the knowledge that he did not have to advise Haldir of his responsibility for the welfare of the prince. Haldir nodded to his lord and his facial expression betrayed none of the turmoil he was feeling. He pushed all thoughts of affection for Arien from his mind and the Captain led his wardens into the woods.
They came to the place in which Illadris claimed the attack had taken place. All fell silent as each took in the sight before them. Legolas cried out;
"No!"
He ran to a bush and snatched the dishevelled cloak from the branches. He stared at it in disbelief and without speaking, held it toward the Marchwarden. Haldir looked at the bloody garment in his friend's hand and knew it was Arien's. He looked into the face of the prince and saw tears coursing down his cheeks. He sent the wardens to scout the area but few held out little hope that Arien would be found. He placed his arms around his friend and could offer little in the way of comfort as he struggled within to hold the composure for which he was renowned. Haldir was aware, however, that despite the evidence surrounding them, he could not bring himself to believe Arien was indeed lost. He somehow felt she was still alive, although the fact of how or why he knew that eluded him.
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Arien lay on the filthy floor and pulled at the ropes binding her ankles and wrists in a futile attempt to loosen them but only succeeded in rubbing the flesh beneath them raw, to the point where she bled. She could see the men huddled together by the small, grimy window. It was night time and the only light in the room was from two small candles. A dingy, soiled bed lay against one wall with a small table next to it. The room stank of the same sour stench that Arien had experienced downstairs.
The men moved from their huddled position and two made for the door;
"We'll not be gone long," said one of the men, just before he was leaving.
"Jus' remember what I said; keep yer 'ands off of 'er!"
The remaining man watched as his companions disappeared from sight and the door was closed firmly behind them. He turned to look at Arien, and she saw in his face a look of undisguised lust. He moved slowly toward where she sat slumped against the wall. Stopping directly before her he leered at her and lent forward to grab a handful of her hair. He rubbed it roughly between his dirt encrusted fingers and said;
"Aren't we the pretty one, eh?"
Arien starred at him blankly, her eyes wide with terror. She did not understand his words but his actions made the blood in her veins run cold with fear. He yanked violently on the hair he was holding and jerked her head back, painfully pulling back her head and exposing her neck. He lent forward even more and licked her neck from her collarbone to the base of her ear. Arien felt the repulsive wetness of his tongue against her flesh and instinctively began thrash about in an attempt to distance herself from him. Her bonds cut deeper into her wrists and ankles and her struggles only encouraged him to tighten his grip.
"That's it, my lovely," he snarled, "I likes it when they fight a bit. Makes things more interestin'!"
Arien understood none of his words and tears of fear and pain welled in her eyes and spilled down her face. The man laughed cruelly at her and dragged her over to the filthy bed. He threw her onto it and she screamed as she felt the weight of his body against her own. He hit her violently across the head and her ears rang with the force.
"Shut it, yer little Elf-witch or I'll silence yer f'r good!" He snarled.
Despite her ignorance of his language, Arien could not mistake the malice in the sounds he made and she redoubled her struggles. The man grasped her neck with both hands and began to squeeze tightly. Arien felt the terrible pain as her throat was constricted and she struggled for the breath which could not pass his grasp. The man's eyes glowed with malevolence as he gazed lecherously at her heaving breasts. Arien felt her strength ebb from her and she no longer had might to fight him. He glowered at her in triumph and released her neck, intent on satisfying his lust but stopped abruptly as the door was thrown open.
Tbc.
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Nasty, eh? Poor Arien. How am I going to get her out of this? Tune-in in a few days to find out! (Please?)
I'd love it if you R&R. Thanks!
