Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Warnings: Again, mentions of child abuse. If you don't like don't read.
A/N: I just have to give a big thank you to all of my reviewers. This is the first story that I have written and I am happy to see that it is so well received. I will try to update as much as possible, for I know how addictive stories can be! Here is another chapter. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 4: Slave
The next morning the three brothers were discussing their new charge. She is so small. Rúmil looked at her face poking out from under the blankets. I doubt she has eaten very much recently, or ever.
She is also absolutely filthy. Orophin wrinkled his nose at her. I wonder how long they were out here by themselves.
Yes, she is dirty. We will reach the stream in two more days. I will make sure she has a bath, said Haldir looking at her.
Her clothes look as if she comes from a Rohan village. Though the closest one is over a week away. Rúmil tilted his head thinking of the locations of villages that he knew.
A week by our journey. How long for those two? I can not believe that they survived this long in the wild by themselves. Orophin shook his head. They had to have gotten lost from some larger group of men.
That is why I sent out the rest to scout the borders by where she was found. If they find their group they will inform me. The brothers nodded at Haldir's logic.
What are we to do with her when her group is found? Haldir looked to rumil before answering.
That is for our Lady to decide. She has ventured too far into the woods to be sent back without Galadriel's consent. It was true. She was found two days in their border. Galadriel had to decide what to do with the child.
I can not see her deciding anything but giving the child back," said Orophin.
Nor can I. Haldir looked back down at the child. She was awake and watching them closely. Her eyes were wide open but she hadn't moved. She will slow us down, but I believe we can make the next talan by nightfall. Rúmil and Orophin agreed. Pack up camp and prepare our gear. I will take care of the child. As his brothers started packing their gear he walked over to the girl. He kneeled next to her and she backed away, but not as much as before.
"We are leaving child." She looked up at him then stood, always making sure that there was a distance between them. He saw the cuts and bruises on her hands, legs and face even more in the daylight and frowned. "How long were you out here alone?" He wondered out loud. She looked at him then down at the ground. He wasn't expecting an answer.
"We saw a moon," she said quietly.
'A month!' He thought back to the little boy's injury. 'Had she been taking care of him for that long?' he thought. She looked back up to him.
We are done brother. Orophin swung a pack over his back as he spoke. Zinnia jumped and moved slightly behind Haldir. Haldir only nodded then looked down at Zinnia.
"Are you ready?" She nodded at him and followed as he led the way to the edge of the talan. "We have to go down this rope to reach the bottom." He reached over and grabbed onto the rope to show her. Then he jumped out on it and turned back to the girl holding out one of his hands. She hesitantly took a step forward. When he had a secure hold on her he went down the rope and set her on the ground. She quickly moved away from him and waited at a near by tree. Haldir looked up and saw his brothers starting to climb down.
"We have a long way to go today. Would you like me to carry you?" Asked Haldir approaching the girl. Her head was facing the ground but she shook her head no.
"Very well." When his brothers reached the ground they started walking. Haldir led and the girl always following three steps behind him. Rúmil and Orophin were walking side by side a little further back from the girl. They walked in silence mostly.
She is like your shadow brother. Orophin looked at the girl wondering why she was following Haldir as she was. Haldir stopped and looked back at the girl. When he stopped she did and quickly looked to the ground. He said nothing but kept walking. The girl followed. About an hour later they heard the girl start to hum. A human would not have noticed it, but the elves were able to hear her clearly.
Perhaps he frightens her. He can look like an orc at times. Orophin laughed slightly amused by his words.
No, I think it is something else. Look how she follows him, always the same distance behind. Rumil smiled at orophin's words though he didn't believe them. Haldir stopped when they got to a small clearing. The girl immediately stopped and stood still. It is like she has been trained to stay the same distance.
Trained? You mean like a pet? Orophin looked down at the girl who had not moved from her position. Haldir knelt in front of her and asked something in common. The girl's eyes remained on the ground as she answered.
We will be back in a moment. Do you think that she should eat again? Haldir's question was aimed at Rúmil.
Yes, but only a small amount. I will ready food for her. Haldir nodded and went to reach for the girl, but stopped when he saw her tense. He then said something to her in her language and walked to the woods. The child followed three steps behind.
I have heard that man has what he calls slaves. Other men that they force into servitude. I had not thought that they applied that to children. Orophin frowned at his theory.
Haldir has been to their city. Perhaps he would know. rumil started digging out some lembas and pulling out a water container from the bag he was caring. Haldir and the child came back a few minutes later. The child was still following him and Haldir was frowning even more than normal.
Is something wrong brother? asked Orophin.
The child is concerning me brother. Haldir turned around and looked at her. Her head was facing the ground, hands behind her back. Rúmil kneeled next to her and offered her some lembas with an open hand. She didn't move and only looked at him out of the corner of her eyes. "Are you not hungry?" She looked up to him then quickly back down at the ground. Then slowly nodded her head yes. "Then eat child." She grabbed the food from Rúmil careful not to touch him. Haldir sighed.
What was that about? Rumil watched the girl as she started to eat.
She would not eat until I told her to.
Perhaps she is used to having to ask permission, said Orophin looking down at the girl. She had quickly eaten the food and was now standing in the same position she had been before. I admit that I have not been around a lot of humans, but this one is different from any others that I have encountered.
Yes, from what I have seen most men are very loud and prideful. Children of men seem so willful, even more so than their adult counterparts. But this one is so obedient.
You have been to their cities Haldir. Do you think that she could be a slave? Rumil's tone was concerned.
I have never seen slavery. Haldir sighed as he had been thinking the same thing. This one comforted the boy child by telling him that he was free and no longer had to answer to a master though. He seemed rather pleased with the idea.
Then I would think she treats you like she would her owner.
But I am not! Haldir shouted angrily at rumil's statement. They all saw the girl visibly wince and then tense at his tone.
The child does not know that, said Rúmil trying to calm his brother. Haldir sighed angrily and looked at the girl. She looked up at him but quickly darted her eyes back to the ground. In her eyes you were the one that found her. Perhaps she now believes that she must listen to you.
She does not seem to regard us much. Orophin was also trying to calm his brother. When your back is turned she looks to the forest with wonder, but as soon as you face her she looks to the ground as she is doing now. She won't even respond to us, only you. As if to prove his point Orophin knelt down next to the girl and offered her his water pouch. She didn't move except to shy away from his hand slightly. Orophin looked to his brother. Tell her it is acceptable.
"You may drink child." In response to haldir's words her hands wrapped around the water and she took a drink handing the bag back to Orophin. Her eyes glanced to Orophin when she took the bag, but stayed on the ground after that.
Even if you two are correct, she has escaped from her owners. It is doubtful that there are any other men in these woods. He said watching her then turning to his brothers. We must still make the next talan. He started walking then looked back at the child. She was three steps behind him. He frowned and continued on his way.
It was a few hours more before they took another break. They paused for the child though she seemed to show no signs of tiring. She was quiet except for the occasional bouts of humming and singing to herself. They gave her some more water and then continued on their way.
Rúmil was the first one to notice when the girl started to fall behind. Orophin had walked up front talking quietly with Haldir. She seemed to almost be falling asleep as she walked. She would fall behind and then snap her head up and rush to get back in the right spot. He watched her do this a couple of times before saying anything.
Brother, I believe the child is tiring. He watched her rush to get back behind Haldir. Haldir stopped and so did she. He turned around and looked at the child, her chin was resting against her chest and she swayed slightly. They still had another couple of hours before they would reach their destination. He knelt down and went to pick her up when her eyes snapped open and she looked at him. He stilled seeing the fear that was in her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to say something but no sound came out. Haldir slowly lowered his hands.
Are you tiring child. He kept his tone gentle not wanting to scare her any more than she was already. She shook her head no and then looked down to the ground. He was getting frustrated as he could see her sway again and made up his mind. I am going to carry you the rest of the way. Ignoring how tense she was he reached over and picked her up before continuing walking. He frowned at the coolness of her skin and cursed himself. The child was almost shivering. He pulled his cloak around her and made sure that she was fully covered, then pulled his arm back around her. She seemed to relax a little after that. Slowly she relaxed to the point where her head was resting on his shoulder and she fell asleep.