Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Warnings: This section will contain child abuse of the both physical and mental variety. Nothing too graphic and nothing too permanent. If you don't wish to read about it please don't. It is a sensitive subject, but like I have mentioned before, I feel it is a valid background for my character.

Chapter 12: Justice

Haldir will be. . amused by your color choices I believe. Suvel laughed softly at the bright yellow, sunset orange, and sky blue scraps of cloth before tucking them in the girl's pocket pocket. Show them to him when he asks. They were exact opposites of the normal pastels or neutrals that Haldir seemed to favor. He needs color in his life besides. Perhaps that is what you will bring him. The girl was humming next to her with a smile on her face the flower Orophin had given her pressed to her nose. If you enjoy flowers I will have to tell Haldir to take you to the main gardens. All colors that nature can provide are there. The Lady tends it herself.

"Why do you live in trees?" Zinnia's attention had turned to the large branches hanging above them. Suvel smiled and followed the child's eyes.

They are beautiful are they not? Mellryn, they only grow here in Lórien. Suvel looked back to Zinnia and grinned. I am sure you have never seen trees so large. Many here are older than even I! Zinnia smiled at the elf responding to the teasing tone. We need to see that smile more often. Perhaps I can sneak you in some desert after your dinner. It will keep you awake but Haldir will never realize it until it is to late. Suvel laughed and Zinnia smiled again then held out the flower in her hand. Dear that is yours. Crouching down in front of the girl Suvel took the flower and put it back in Zinnia's hair.

Suvel. Both turned and looked at the voice. Zinnia startled and jumped behind Suvel grabbing onto the elf's skirts.

Firith, greeted Suvel with a warm smile and putting a reassuring hand on Zinnia's small head. You are back from patrol so soon?

Yes I believe we have found the child's father.

Oh that is good news, said Suvel in almost a bittersweet tone. She had wanted Haldir to care for the child, but having her father back was important as well. Where is he?

He had a nasty gash on his head and was unconscious. The only thing we could gather is that he was attacked. I am on my way to report to the Lord and Lady, her father is being taken to the healers.

Is he going to live?

Yes, a head injury but a minor one. Once we had him awake he started to improve. Firith looked down to Zinnia. Your father will heal. He smiled and went to touch her but she moved further behind Suvel.

She is a shy one, said Suvel with a small shrug. I will take her to see him, perhaps a message should be delivered to Haldir.

Send Malhith, said Firith. I must go, they should still be on the path as their pace was not hurried.

Thank you. Firith nodded and gave one last smile to Zinnia before continuing. Suvel turned back to Zinnia after watching him walk for a moment. Come child, let us go see your father. She sighed. Though I had hoped that you would be able to stay with Haldir. Zinnia was completely oblivious to what was going on and watched as Firith walked away.

She followed Suvel when the elf tugged on her hand gently to get her attention. As they walked down the path she would run around and touch various flowers that grew along the side. Suvel watched with a small smile and once again wished that things had worked out so the girl was able to stay with them. Looking forward she saw a small group of gray clad Galadhrim and a lone figure dressed in shabby browns and blacks.

You must take after your mother, said Suvel as she took in the sight of the human. He was shorter than the elves as most humans were, but he was much shorter. He only reached the chest of the one standing closest to him. He also had greasy, thin, dark brown hair that hung in tendrils to his shoulders. She looked down to Zinnia when her grip became almost painful. Child what is wrong? A look of almost horror on the child's face was not what she expected when she saw her father again.

"There ya are ya filthy gutter rat." His tone was the exact opposite of his words. Zinnia stopped in her tracks and swallowed heavily her eyes never leaving the man before her. "Act like ya 'appy to see me ya little brat." He sounded like a relieved parent finding their missing child to the elves. Only Zinnia in that group understood what he was really saying. Slowly a weak smile appeared on her face though her hand clamped tighter to Suvel.

Little one what is wrong? Suvel crouched down to look Zinnia in the eye.

"Haldir," she whispered looking to the elleth with frightened teary eyes. "I want Haldir."

I will tell him the news, said Suvel with a small smile. Before Suvel could stand again the man had walked over and grabbed Zinnia pulling her up and smiling widely. Suvel watched getting an uneasy feeling about the scene in front of her. It only grew when she saw Zinnia try to push away from the man as he held her. Malhith. A young Galadhrim stepped forward. Firith wishes for you to inform Haldir that we have found the child's father. Go there in all haste, do not tarry.

Yes my Lady. He bowed before running off towards Haldir's. Suvel watched the man and child with a frown as she followed behind them.

"Where's the little beast?" Zinnia tried to push away from him but his hand went under her skirt and pinched the back of her calf causing her to let out a squeak. "Hush or you'll get worse by me."

"Alar is dead master." The man snorted.

"The little brat deserved it. Tryin' to run off with my property and the like. I 'ope it was painful. I'd a had him at the end of my whip 'ad I caught him first." Tears started in her eyes. "Oh don't cry ya little baby. You'll make much more for me than he would ever besides. The little runt couldn't do a'thing worth while." He sighed. "Look on the bright side one less mouth to cook fer and clean up after." He looked to the girl on his hip and grinned maliciously.

"So which a these stupid bloke's took ya in? Gave you that pretty dress?" He tugged on it a little. "A rich one I bet. I 'ope ya didn' get used to it 'cause there's no way I'm lettin ya stay here. Did ya like what ya had to do to get it? Sure ya did you always do don't ya. Just like your tramp o' a mother."

"I missed ya my little strumpet, my pretty little strumpet." He readjusted her and smiled even more as she tried to push away from him again. "We 'afta get all reacquainted like we do." His hand slipped a little higher under her dress and she looked to Suvel with a pleading look. "We'd a been fine 'ad the maggot not interrupted us out in the wild. Ah but we won't be worrin' 'bout that ag'in will we?" He chuckled.

Suvel's feelings of suspicions grew when she saw the girl look back to her. There was fear and hopelessness in her eyes, nothing of the emotions that should have been in a child happy to be reunited with a lost parent. When the man laughed a chill went down her spine. It wasn't a happy laugh, it was malicious. The tear falling down Zinnia's face drove her into action. She walked up and pulled the girl from the man's grasp surprising him.

I think she should walk sir, your injury might have made you weak.

"Wait 'ere she's mine. Where I go she goes."

She, Suvel pointed to Zinnia who she had set on the ground, walks. She held up her fingers and made a walking motion.

"Fine." He started walking again. "Zinnia come!" he shouted. The child jumped and tried to tug her hand out of Suvel's frantic to follow. With a final jerk Zinnia pulled away from Suvel and ran to catch up to the man. She moved three steps behind him and there she stayed until they reached the healers.

'Haldir will be back, he will. . he said. . he said he would.' Her eyes were unfocused as she followed the back of the man she had feared almost her entire life. 'An hour. . is an hour up? Is it? He's not coming back. . I was bad. . I was bad he left and master came back. Master is all that matters. Master is god. Master is god. Master is god.' It didn't stop the tears from falling down her face at the thought of Haldir leaving her though. 'No!' she screamed to herself. 'Haldir will be back. . Haldir will be back and. . and take me away! Yes he'll buy me. . he will. . he will.' She clung to that shred of hope as she climbed the stairs.

The healer took the man into one of the rooms to examine him. The girl followed and none protested as they all thought she was his daughter. Suvel thinking that they would be supervised left to find Haldir or someone who spoke common fluently. The man's tone was nothing but sugary and sweet but the effect the words were having on the child were wrong. Zinnia was becoming agitated and frightened. The healer thinking nothing of it left the two alone to gather more supplies to rewrap the man's head wound. As soon as he closed the door the man snarled in anger and grabbed Zinnia roughly by the arm and pulled her to him.

"Ya worthless little shit look what ya did ta me!" He pointed to the gash on his forehead. "Ya drew blood on your owner. You best be wishin that I don't kill ya here." He wrapped his other hand around her neck and applied a little pressure. Not enough to choke or bruise but enough to frighten the girl. She started trying to pull the hand away from her. "Still ya little wench!" he hissed. Her hands dropped back to her side and she went rigid. "At least ya haven't fergotten 'ow to follow orders."

"Now listen and listen good. If they start askin questions and the like this is what ya are to say. I am your daddy got it?" He shook her a little until she nodded. "Right, we were attacked on the road, 'ats how ya got all your bruises and such. If'n they ask anything else ya don't remember."

"Yes master." Her tone was whispered and horse because of the pressure on her throat. He smacked her and she fell back on the floor from the force of the hit.

"Daddy ya stupid little bastard! Can't ya do anythin' right? You're just as stupid as the runt. If ya were anythin but female you'd be worthless. It don't take brains to be a good woman. Get over 'ere and quit ya snivlin. That was a love tap compared ta what I'm gonna give ya." He kicked out and caught her on her hip causing her to fall back into the ground with a loud grunt of pain. "Get yer lazy ass up! Fetch me some water." Quickly crawling out of his reach she went to the side table that held some glasses and a pitcher full of liquid. The door opened and he looked expecting to see the healer.

Haldir grimaced as soon as he saw the man sitting on the bed. He stunk, was dirty and basically revolting. His anger started multiplying just remembering the bruises that had been on the child's body. All most likely caused by the human in front of him. The monster that had killed a small child. His fingers itched to grab the knife in his boot and just flick his wrist embedding it in the man's skull. His brothers were right though, the law stated unless he was directly defending himself or another the man could not be touched.

"Ah, look 'ere we got us some more visitors." Haldir's attention went to Zinnia who still had her back to him pouring some water. She turned and the sound that escaped him could only be classified as a growl. The marks on her neck were visible to his elvin eyes as well as the red inflamed skin on her cheek. Her eyes turned to him but then right to the ground going over to give her master the water he had ordered.

"Zinnia, come here aier." Haldir's eyes narrowed at the man as he spoke though his tone was neutral. The rage in him was almost to the braking point not having missed the small limp that had found it's way into her step. She stopped and looked to him.

"Gimme my water." She took a reflexive step at the command.

"Zinnia, child, come here." Zinnia looked to Haldir obviously confused.

"I wants my water first."

"You can retrieve your own glass," snapped Haldir. The man went to grab Zinnia but before his hand could even touch her Haldir had is own hand wrapped around the man's throat and pulled him up roughly. "Touch her again, under my eye and I will have all the cause I need to kill you."

"So you're the new one are ya? Well I'll let ya have her fer a night but she leaves with me." Haldir snarled and raised his hand to backhand him.

Haldir! Haldir looked back to Rúmil. His brother's eyes went down to the girl and Haldir's own followed there. She was watching both him and the man with wide eyes. He couldn't read the expression in them but her gaze was locked onto his hand. The hand raised to strike. Disgusted at both himself and the man in his grasp he relaxed his grip causing the man to fall back on the bed.

"You are no longer a guest her but a prisoner, as such you may not leave this room."

"What!" screamed the man. "What 'ave I done?"

"What have you done?" asked Haldir almost incredulously. "I think the bruises and scars on this child as well as the death of another should register in your mind as small as it is."

"Fer them?" He started laughing. "They're mine. I can do wit em as I please."

"Yours no longer," said Haldir with a threatening glare. "You will be judged by the Lord and Lady. I can only assure you that you will be found lacking." With that he turned to Zinnia who was now watching the man on the bed. "Zinnia." She looked up to him slowly and he moved down in front of her. "Come child we will go have dinner. Would you like that?"

"Who the 'ell cares what she wants!" bellowed the man causing Zinnia to jump and look back to him.

"Dina nandor!" Orophin's tone was nothing short of threatening, in fact it was very intimidating. The man looked to him and wisely chose to shut up even though he did not know the exact words spoken to him. Haldir's attention never strayed from Zinnia as hers never strayed from the man on the bed.

"Zinnia." She wouldn't look to him. "Zinnia." He moved in her line of sight so she focused on him. "Come we will have dinner." She shied from him when he went to touch her. He only lowered his hand. "Please, will you have dinner with me aier?" Slowly her grip on the glass relaxed and she held it to him. "Thank you, will you come with me?" He took the glass from her careful not to touch her.

"She is ta stay 'ere with me." Haldir gritted his teeth to keep his comment to himself. Orophin took a step forward glaring at the man whose mouth snapped shut.

"He is no longer your concern, come show me the colors you have picked. I am interested to know." He smiled at the child and she looked to him still torn. She reached into the small pocket on the side of her dress and pulled her hand out. Opening it she revealed a few small strips of cloth. "Are these what you chose?" She nodded slowly and he held his hand out. Hesitating only slightly she put them in his hand. "These are very pretty." He looked to the brightly colored cloth with a small smile.

"Do you like them?" He looked up at her shy question.

"Yes they are lovely." He handed them back to her and she wrapped her hand around them in a fist. "Are you hungry?" Her only response was to nod. "Then let us go eat." He held his hand to her again hoping she would take it.

"Can we have some of those cake things again?" He smiled at her.

"I will see if I can acquire some for us." She nodded and took his hand. The man opened his mouth to say something but another step forward and a hard glare from Orophin quited him. Haldir led her out of the room and his brothers followed closing the door behind them. "Wait here one moment while I speak with my brothers then we can go." Her hand tightened on him and she shook her head.

"No, not again."

"I will just be by the door, in your sight the entire time." She shook her head again. "Then let us talk to them together." When she agreed he led her over to them.

We will stay and watch the prisoner.

Thank you Orophin, said Haldir looking down to Zinnia who was quietly standing next to him still clutching his hand. Will one of you go inform the Lord and Lady, he needs to be judged.

I will go. Rúmil looked down to Zinnia before leaving.

Go Haldir, she does not need to be around him any longer. Haldir nodded and led Zinnia off intending to keep his word and find her some of those cakes.

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"Where is he going?" Haldir looked down to the girl next to him. It had taken hours to get her to sleep the previous night. Every time she would slip into slumber she would jerk awake and clutch on to him afraid that he would leave. He could see the exhaustion in her blood shot eyes and sluggish movements.

"He was judged guilty. The Lord and Lady have exiled him from our and any elvin land." There was still confusion in her eyes and he smiled. "He is no longer welcome or allowed here. If he is seen entering these lands he will be shot."

Zinnia looked back over to where the man she had called master for most of her life was bound hand and foot a fully-armed elf on either side of him. She bit her lip remembering telling the bright Lady and her husband what had happened in the woods. How she had hit her master over the head with a rock when he had started hitting Alar. She reflexively tightened her grip on Haldir's hand just remembering that moment, the fear she had felt. The terror of realizing she had hit her master and made him bleed. It had only been then she had taken her brother and went deeper into the woods instead of staying outside of them.

"Am I going too?" Haldir moved down in front of her and turned her attention back to him.

"No, you are staying here for as long as you wish. He will never harm you again."

"You bought me?"

"No, no you are free now. I have only brought you here to see him leave. To show you that he is going away. To show you that he is no longer a danger to you."

"He's going away forever?" He heard the hope in her voice.

"Yes, forever."

"Can I watch him leave the gates?"

"Yes." Haldir smiled again and led them over to a spot that would be hard to see from where the prisoner was, though they could see him perfectly. They were situated by the time the guards that were assigned to take the human to the boarders had gathered. It consisted of six guardians and his brothers. They had volunteered knowing that Haldir wanted to go but wouldn't be able to because of Zinnia. She refused to let him out of her sight.

"Are your brothers going away too?"

"Only for a short time aier. They are charged with leading the patrol to the boarders and back. They will return within a week."

"They'll make sure he goes away." Her eyes were on them as they started walking. Orophin was behind the man pushing him as he was yelling and refusing to go.

"They will." They watched silent as the group left the city, the gates closing behind them.

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Sir orcs have been spotted here recently, should we not wait to make sure he would be safe.

Nay, if there is any justice in this world they will find him and inflict a fraction of the pain and suffering on him that he has caused innocents in this world. That man is no better than any orc. Orophin spit on the human at his feet before turning away disgusted.

Master Rúmil are you sure that the Lord and Lady would want this? Rúmil looked up from the human at his feet to the elf that had spoken.

Did you see the child that we found?

Yes, when we led him to the city we came across her and Suvel.

She screams at night because of him, her brother of no more than six years died in her arms because of him, she has bruises and has bled because of him. Rúmil looked down to the man again. She lost her childhood and innocence in all ways because of him. She fears because of him. He looked back to the elf who had a slight realization in his eyes as did the others. The Lord and Lady want him to answer to the Valar. They instructed this border specifically, perhaps knowing of the orcs perhaps not. He is released here and not allowed back in.

Should he try to return? asked another of the guards.

He should be killed, if any of you have any pity you would deal him a fatal shot to save him from the orcs. I know that should it be up to me, after seeing that poor girls battered body, hearing her screams, should he be in my sights I would not. I would only wound him so the orcs would get him before he reaches the trees. But it is up to the one that has him in their sights. He kicked the man rolling him over on his back.

"Please Sir Elf! Ya can't leave me out 'ere to rot. I'll die o' 'unger if'n I don't o' thirst!" Rúmil growled and pulled his knife from his boot leaning over the man threateningly. He put the blade over the man's lips and gave a warning glare. The man quieted but yelped when he was roughly rolled again. Rúmil cut his bonds before standing.

"Leave." Rúmil's word was thick with a Sindarin accent but understandable. The man slowly stood rubbing his wrists where the rope had been.

"Ya not even gonna give me any food! What kind a people are ya?"

"Leave," repeated Rúmil. The man took step forward to beg again and all six archers were suddenly aimed at him. Rúmil only smirked at the look that crossed the man's face. "You are trespassing, Leave." The only phrase he knew in common came in useful at times. "Leave!" One of the elves loosed an arrow narrowly missing the man's foot. He jumped back with a scream. Quiet you'll attract the orcs. With those last taunting words Rúmil left to find his brother knowing the others would handle matters.

Night was well underway before they heard the screams start. They were far away, three miles perhaps four as the wind was blowing gently allowing sound to travel further. Orophin looked to Rúmil and their eyes met in silent knowledge. Those were screams of a human. Both looked away and went back to what they had been doing unbothered. It was hours before the screams were suddenly cut off, no more echoing through the woods. Their only lamenting was of the fact that neither Haldir nor Zinnia would be able to hear it for themselves.

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Elleth – female elf

Aier – little one

Dina nandor! – Quiet coward

A/N: This was the toughest chapter I have ever written! I had it done a few weeks ago, then I let a friend read it. She brought up some very good points. In the first version, well everything we wanted Haldir to do to master he did. Let me tell you the smack was laid down and it was laid down good! Then she basically told me it blew.

Her opinion was that an elf would never do that. An elf would be old and wise enough not to act on his rage or homicidal feelings. They would kill in battle and in defense, but they wouldn't kill out of anger. To have Haldir do what he did was out of character and humanizing him to a sever degree.

I disagreed. I think that elves, at least the elves that I write, are empathetic to a certain degree. In my little universe their emotions are much deeper and heartfelt I would say. I think that is why they are so reserved. Over the years they have learned to hide them around strangers. Lets just look at all the elves we see in the movie. Around strangers, ex. Legolas and the members of the fellowship or Haldir in the scene that introduces him they seem cold and distant. Then look at the scenes with Arwen and Aragorn alone, or Arwen and Elrond. The emotions are much easier expressed between loved ones or friends.

That was my defense and we argued about it for a long time. Longer than I would care to admit because I don't want proof on the net at just what a dork I can be! Anyway I ended up agreeing with her. Begrudgingly, but I agreed with her that it would be out of character and had to ax the chapter. So I rewrote and rewrote the thing until I got it right enough for me.

I had to kill the bastard! There was no way around it in my mind. I ran this by said friend from above and she agreed that it wasn't out of character to for the elves to do what they did. He was exiled from their land basically the harshest punishment for an elf realm. They had no sympathy for him. I was going to have him run back to the woods for help and get shot but I figured the orcs would draw it out a little more. Well color me a sadist, but he deserved it.

One good point about the wait is that I will have more chapters up soon! While I was brooding over what to do with this chapter my muse was dancing all over the keyboard and writing further in the future! Woohoo. The next chapter will be up a few hours after I post this one. I just have to read over and correct it. I hope you all are still enjoying the story. Comments or questions? E-mail me dolenurya@fanfiction.net.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE REVIEWS!!!!!!