Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Warnings: Again, mentions of child abuse. If you don't like don't read.
I'm soooooo sorry. So so so so sorry it has taken me so long to get this done. Everyone must hate me! I'm trying my best but my muse took a nice little vacation and then life decided to get all interesting on me. I'm graduating soon so I should have more free time to get this done. I have the next chapter written and am right now just re-reading it and hope to have it up later today or early tomorrow.
I have also changed things slightly. After re-reading previous chapters I have decided that it was stupid of me to not denote the difference between Elvish and Common. I have done so on this one. Elvish is in the following: blah while Common in regular quotes. I hope that makes more sense.
This chapter deals more with the child abuse that I was talking about in my first disclaimer. Again I don't promote it, but this is the story that my mind cooked up. Once more sorry about the delay and thanks to everyone for the wonderful reviews!
CHAPTER 6 : Scars
The next morning Haldir was able to pull the child off of him and reposition her in the blankets without a problem. He stood and went to his pack, pulling out one of his spare undershirts and his cleaning supplies.
Did you sleep well brother? asked Orophin with a smile on his face. Before he could answer Rúmil came onto the talan.
Leave him alone Orophin. Rúmil frowned at Orophin then went over to Haldir, handing him a bottle of salve. Apply this to any cuts after she is clean.
You are a better healer. You should do it. Said Haldir frowning. Rúmil looked at the girl then back at Haldir.
You hold what little trust she has shown us. I do not believe she will let anyone else that close.
I do not know what I am doing Rúmil. What if I hurt her? Rúmil understood Haldir was talking about more than just her physical injuries and was quiet for a moment. His brother rarely showed any self-doubt, and never voiced it. 'He is truly afraid' thought Rúmil. He placed a hand on Haldir's shoulder and squeezed in a show of comfort.
You will not hurt her. Just be careful. Right now she is frightened and alone. She is among strange people and a strange race. Just do what your heart tells you is right and you can not go wrong. He hoped to sooth haldir's concerns with his answer.
I do not know about my heart, but my nose says that she needs a bath. Haldir stood and rumil laughed quietly.
Yes, I have to agree. Orophin and I will stand watch. Haldir nodded and went over to the girl. He reached out and touched her shoulder lightly.
"Little one. Wake up."
"G'way Alar" She rolled over accompanying her mumbled reply. Haldir frowned and tried again.
"Zinnia. You must wake up now." His tone became slightly more stern to wake her.
"Alar, I'll make breakfast when master leaves." Haldir looked to his brothers for help. Both shrugged.
Maybe some water in the face. It always seemed to work for Rúmil. Orophin laughed as rumil frowned at him. At the strange voice and language Zinnia jumped slightly and backed away from Haldir. Haldir smiled at her softly hoping to alleviate her fears.
"Finally you are awake."
"Sorry." She looked down at her hands and figited with the hem of her blanket.
"It is alright little one. Come we must go to the river." Haldir stood up and waited for Zinnia to follow.
"Why?"
"You need a bath," answered Haldir as he picked up the supplies in front of him. When he looked back to the girl he stilled. Her eyes were filled with fear and she had backed away from him. She was shaking her head no. He went to reach for her but she was too far away.
"NO!" She screamed as she moved further out of his reach. She went to run but Orophin was able to grab her. She started thrashing and screaming even more.
What is wrong with her? asked Rúmil concerned.
I told her that she was going to take a bath and she reacted like this. Haldir walked over to Orophin seeing the girl's struggles he frowned.
I have heard that the race of men did not like to bathe. But I did not think that they were actually afraid to do so. orophin was still holding the struggling child.
Nor I. Haldir reached to take the child from Orophin and her struggles increased. "Stop struggling child," he said as he took her. Using one arm around her waist and pinning her arms holding her against his chest he took her from orophin.
"NO!" She screamed and kicked out. Her foot caught Orophin in the stomach knocking him back slightly. She stilled instantly and looked at Orophin with fear and started crying. Then suddenly struggled even harder causing Haldir to almost loose his grip.
Quite a little temper. orophin rubbed the spot she had kicked. I think I liked her better when she was quiet. He laughed slightly and Haldir smiled. Rúmil chuckled and took the supplies from Haldir allowing him to use two hands in holding the child. They got down the talan without incident though the girl was still struggling.
"Child you will not get away. Stop struggling and save your energy." Haldir was loosing his patience and allowed a hint of anger to seep into his tone. 'It is just a bath!' he thought angrily. She slowly stopped struggling, though she was still crying.
"You said I was free." She sobbed softly as they neared the stream.
"You are, but you are also dirty and need to get clean." When they entered the clearing by the stream she started struggling again.
"No, I'm free. You said I was free! I won't do it. You are not my master. No." She was screaming and tears were running freely down her face. Haldir sighed and approached the stream. Rúmil sat down the supplies next to the stream and looked back to Haldir.
We will go up to the trees. He said and then walked off, followed by Orophin.
Good luck brother. Orophin laughed slightly as he walked away.
"No. Please. I'll be good. I swear. Anything else." She started pleading with him. Haldir sighed and put her down in the water making sure he had a good grip on her incase she tried to run again. The water rose to her upper thigh causing her dress to get wet.
"It's just a bath child." He held her in place and reached down to pull her filthy dress over her head. She seemed to give up and stood where she was, her back to him. He got the dress off of her and tossed it to the side. He froze when he looked back to the girl.
Her back was torn to shreds. It looked as though someone had taken a whip to her repeatedly. There was barely an unmarked spot of flesh. Scars and fading bruises covered her back down her buttocks and legs. Haldir took a deep breath and stilled. 'How could someone hit a child! Let alone whip them!' screamed Haldir's mind. The pain that she had been through. Tears started running down his face. His mind was still screaming as his mouth opened but no words came out. She turned around and the tears ran faster at the damage that he saw there.
Marks were all over her chest and legs. Many of the bruises were formed like hands and those were fresh. Only a few days old. There were more whip mark scars but not as many as on her back. Deep dark bruises were on her forearms and on her thighs. He closed his eyes to shut the vision out. His mind was blank. He couldn't understand how someone would let that happen to a child.
Elvin children were becoming more rare and precious to the race. No one would let anything like this happen to a child. They were loved and cared for by all in the city not just the family. To see this done to a child no matter what the race shocked Haldir to the very depths of his soul. He felt a tentative touch on his cheek and by reflex his eyes opened.
"Don't cry." Tears were falling down her face as well. She had placed her hand on his cheek, through his tears. "I. . I'll take a bath if you want. Just don't cry okay." She pulled her hand away. "I'm sorry for being bad." He could see that she was scared. She was trembling in fact.
"You were not bad." It came out a little harsher than expected and she jumped. Haldir instantly regretted his tone. "I am the one who should apologize." She looked at him confused, and shook her head no. Then she sat down in the water covering her to her shoulders. He looked up and saw his brothers. Their reactions were pretty much the same as his.
Both had pain in their eyes, and both had silent tears running down their face. He looked back to the girl and saw that she was looking down at her feet through the water. She had pulled her knees to her chest and was gripping them tightly. Haldir slowly pulled out the bottle of soap that he had and handed it to the girl. She took it and waited still looking at her feet.
"Do you know how to use soap?" She looked at him quickly then looked away again before she nodded her head yes. He paused again but the child did not move. "Then why don't you?" He tried to keep his voice calm as he spoke. She looked at him confusion lacing her expression.
"I can't." Her voice was halting and fearful.
"Why not?"
"You still have your clothes on." Her tone was so simple and matter-of-fact that it revolted him. It was as though icy fingers seized his heart. Now he knew why she was so reluctant to get in the water. She thought that she would be bathing him. His stomach rolled over at the thought and he quickly shut his eyes against the nausea that threatened him. He fell forward and out of reflex one of his hand came out to balance him, landing in the water. A gentle touch on his hand brought him back.
"Are you alright?" She had placed her small hand over his. He looked down at it then slowly back up into her eyes.
"Yes. I..I . am not going to bathe with you. You wash yourself." He tried to keep his voice calm to keep the girl from frightening. Inside his anger was raging. He wanted to find who did this and hurt them.
"Oh. Okay." She looked confused but did as he said and started washing herself.
"I will be back shortly." He stood and quickly walked out of the clearing and far enough into the woods so she wouldn't be able to see him. He leaned his forehead on the tree in front of him his thoughts racing. He didn't know how much time passed before he heard someone approaching. The steps were light and he knew it to be one of his brothers. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back to see Rúmil standing beside him.
Orophin is guarding the girl. Haldir nodded and put his head back on the tree.
She. . she thought she was going to attend me Rúmil. That is why she didn't want to bathe. He felt his brother stiffen then slowly relax. I can not do this. I am so angry Rúmil. I want to find who did this and hurt them.
I saw the marks brother, and I would help you if you found him. But right now you have to push your anger aside for the child's sake. She must see nothing but compassion. Rumil removed his hand and Haldir turned to face him. Tears were running down his face again.
How can someone do that to a child? Especially their own brethren, he asked leaning his back against the tree.
I do not know. But she is safe now. You must concentrate on that. And she needs you. Haldir looked at his brother and nodded. He wiped the tears from his face and looked towards the clearing.
Thank you Rúmil. He grabbed his brother's hand and giving it a quick squeeze before returning to the child. Rúmil left to return to Orophin.
He went back to the clearing and saw that the girl was currently scrubbing her hair with the soap. He made sure to make noise and step when he returned so he wouldn't scare her. She turned and saw him and froze. He gave a small smile and approached her slowly. She seemed to relax some and then finished with her hair though she kept her eyes on him the entire time. He busied himself by reading the shirt and the salve for her.
"I. . I'm done." He looked to her and nodded.
"I am going to put this on your cuts." He held out the salve to show her. She looked at him suspiciously and didn't move. "It will help with the pain and heal them faster."
"Why?" she asked curious now.
"Why what little one?"
"Why would you waste it on me?" Her attention was on the salve in his hand as she spoke.
"You are injured. It would not be a waste to use it." His voice was calm though he was fuming inside.
"I'm not in much pain. I've had worse. You shouldn't waste it." He tried to keep the pain out of his voice and eyes at the statement.
"Please, let me treat your injuries. I can acquire more salve when we reach the city." She looked like she was going to refuse but slowly got out of the water and stood in front of him. He handed her his cloak and she looked at it curiously then back to him.
"To dry yourself little one." She didn't' say anything but started to wipe it over herself. When she was done he kneeled down next to her and held out the small bottle of salve. She looked at it and then to him not moving.
"Take some and put it on your cuts in front. I will get the ones you can not reach on your back." She hesitantly reached out and scooped some of the salve on her fingers and then started dabbing it on the cuts on her chest. He nodded in encouragement and moved behind her. Tears were in his eyes again as he applied the salve to the still healing marks on her back. He tried to be gentle as to not hurt her any more. He hesitated when he had to go lower but quickly covered the cuts knowing that it needed to be done. She tensed but didn't move away from his touches. When he was done he put the salve away and reached over for his shirt. He put it over her head and she quickly put her arms through and pulled it down over her.
"It's too big," she said looking down at herself.
"It is all we have though. It is only temporary." He looked over and saw her trying to push the sleeves up to reveal her hands but each time they would roll back down. "May I?" He held his hand out to her. She nodded and held out her arm covered by the offending garment. He rolled the sleeves up until her hands were shown then folded the fabric over itself so it would make a cuff. She smiled shyly and handed him the other arm allowing him to repeat the process. He then gathered the bottom material and tied a knot so she could walk without tripping over the fabric. He whistled and his brothers came back into view. Orophin was barely containing his rage as a few more tears slipped from his eyes.
"Sit and I will brush your hair." Haldir pulled his comb from his pack and watched as the girl slowly sunk down. He grabbed his cloak and gently dried her hair a little more before starting to work his way through it with the comb. It was full of knots and tangles. Many he couldn't break apart and would have to be cut out when they reached the city.
Rúmil wordlessly pulled out some lembas and a water skin from his pack. He handed the small portion of bread to Zinnia as well as the water. She took it though she regarded the others very closely now. Rúmil smiled softly at her, but she only kept eating then looked to Orophin. Tears were still slipping down his face. When he was done with her hair Haldir walked over to his brother putting the supplies back in the pack he carried.
Brother, I know you are upset. As am I. Haldir looked over and saw the child watching them. He wasn't able to read the expression in her eyes and looked back to his brother. But we must hide this pain from her.
She is only a mere babe! Oropin spoke quietly but angrily. The girl frowned at his tone. He had balled his fists and they were shaking from the rage in him.
"Will you tell him that I'm sorry I kicked him earlier. I. . I didn't mean to hurt him" They all looked to her when she spoke. She was still sitting in the same spot but she was watching Orophin.
She says that she is sorry that she kicked you earlier. Orophin closed his eyes tightly as more tears were coming down. When he opened his eyes he looked to the girl.
You have no reason to apologize. I am sorry for handling you in such a manner. He smiled slightly down to her. Haldir translated his words but the girl's face was only confusion.
"I hurt you though. And I know I will be punished. But. . I'm sorry." She missed the pained look that went over Haldir's face as he translated the words. She saw the look of sadness that went over Orophin's though. He hung his head and looked away.
"You will not be punished little one. All is forgiven, finish eating." She only nodded and then went back to her food looking down to the ground.
The wounds on her back. Were any fresh? Rumil joined his brothers.
Nay. The freshest seemed at least a couple of weeks old. Haldir lowered his gaze and Rúmil nodded placing a hand on his shoulder.
What Haldir said earlier is true Orophin. It would not be wise to show anger around this child, even if it is not directed towards her. They all looked to the child as she stood and fidgeted slightly. The shirt was huge on her, falling off one of her shoulders slightly and pooled down on the ground despite Haldir's attempt to shorten it. Her attention was on some flowers that were growing at the base of a tree near by.
I had not thought that men was worthy of our disdain until this day. No one responded to orophin and there was a silence among them.
We must go. Today will be our longest journey. We will reach the city by early evening. Before they left Orophin picked a handful of the flowers and gave the child a small bouquet.