Chapter 41: Mirkwood Rescue
Everyday, as Florien's health improved in Veassen's isolated cave-of-a-home, Tonus visited his wife and their little Faeron. Faeron just kept growing as days passed, and Tonus felt like a proud father once again, not having such a feeling since loosing his precious Florien.
Tonus was gentle with Faeron, and cared for him better than any other thing in Arda. Tonus didn't know what had become of Locien or Florien, and now, he finally gave up finding out. He felt like he was searching for nothing, that nothing was going to be found… That Florien was really dead, along with Locien.
Tonus couldn't say that, even in his mind, it was too heartbreaking, so he designed a story in his head that was more comforting… 'Florien and Locien and still alive… They've found each other… A, kind, loving elvish couple found them before they got hurt at all, before either of them suffered, and has taken them in. They no longer live in poverty, they have a perfect family, and they love where they are now, they are loved by their adopted parents, and I am happy for them.' Was how Tonus' little story went, although, it was nothing close to the true dwelling of Florien and Locien.
Florien was actually doing worse, not because of his heath either. As Florien's health was getting better by the second, he panicked more and more, passing out in worry and stress every so-often, which could be damaging his health. Maelui watched him everyday carefully and made sure to give him extra water to keep his strength up.
Finally, it was the day. Florien was in his best health - aside from constant panic - and was ready for much… Which meant, a torture from Veassen would not damage him as much as it would have before. Florien knew that this was the day; it was not like Veassen would forget about it. Everyday, Veassen would go to Maelui and ask "Is he well enough?" which was referring to Florien being well enough to withstand a torture session. Florien knew that he would be able to, and that Maelui wouldn't have a choice but to say yes, that he is improving. Veassen had said, after all, that if Florien weren't any better in two weeks, that Florien would be killed.
As predicted, Veassen was hastily walking into the room. Maelui was carefully washing Florien's face with a damp cloth (Maelui now had the task to wash the imprisoned, which was a challenge with Haldir, who was far too arrogant to be bathed by someone other than himself or his wife). Maelui, looking up and seeing the expression on Veassen's face, knew he was wasting his time washing Florien… He would just have to wash him again, anyways.
"Well, Maelui… With a week left until Florien will be killed, he already looks very bright and proper. Now, if you tell me he is not ready yet, you best have a good excuse else I will definitely not believe you and carry on with plans." Veassen said as he entered Florien's imprisoning cell. Florien didn't make a sound; he remained in complete silence, not even moving… He had a bad feeling and he knew what would happen.
"He… He has improved, sir, very greatly. He is much stronger than a week ago and… Yes… He is strong enough to withstand… To withstand… You…" Maelui whispered, standing up and moving aside, as much emotional pain as it caused him to do so.
"Stand up!" Veassen grabbed Florien by his shoulders and yanked him up. Florien gasped and quickly was on his feet, never knowing how strong Veassen was… But then again, Florien could tell that his 'master' was very muscular beneath his tunic and long shirtsleeves.
Florien gazed to the floor and had no reaction when his wrists where shackled to and chain. Florien felt like a pet as Veassen tugged on the chains to get him to follow, which he did, in silence.
"I'm sorry…" Maelui whispered as Florien passed him, exiting his cell. As he and Veassen passed the other imprisoned elves, they hung their heads in pity. Out of them, Haldir had been the only one tortured once for not listening and trying to escape, so they really did not know the feeling and where all scared for the young redhead.
As Florien was pushed into the torture chamber, his mind was filled with thoughts that where trying to distract him from the knowledge of how much pain he would go through in this room.
Florien wondered if his father had ever been tortured (and, if Tonus could answer, it would have been no), Florien wondered if any of his relatives had ever been tortured… Florien was certain that all his relatives where good, kind relatives… Aside from Veassen, his cousin, who Florien would not believe was his cousin. Florien did doubt that any of his relatives, even Veassen, had ever been tortured, but he was wrong.
Veassen was probably one of the only relatives he had that had ever been tortured to date. Florien would not have guessed it, since to him; Veassen was very strong and powerful, far too powerful to be tortured by someone else. Florien never considered Veassen's childhood, which was not that far ago.
Florien didn't care enough about Veassen to think of what made him the way that he was - which in the end was Veassen's father. Florien was unaware of any of this, but was soon going to find some proof.
Veassen pushed Florien down onto a table made of wood, Florien squished onto his abdomen, and Florien's tunic was removed and his wrists and ankles shackled tightly. With his head facing the wood, Florien could tell that this was no new table.
There was old, dried blood in the light cracks of the table, marks from a whip hitting the table where they're as well. There where marks that looked like fingernails had dragged along the table many years ago, and even some elvish letters where carved into the table.
The carvings looked old, at least five years but possibly more, old blood filled some of the marks and they where not clear, some letters being messy or incomplete, also very rushed.
What Florien could make out though, looked something like 'Help me… Nana… It's Veassen…'
Florien wouldn't believe that those marks where by Veassen, wanting help, so Florien figured they must be from someone, probably someone very young, begging to be saved from Veassen by his or her Naneth.
But, Florien was wrong. Those carvings WHERE by Veassen, many years ago, probably when he was seven or eight, nine at the latest, and almost all of the dried, old blood was of Veassen's, from the same time period as the carvings.
That phrase was not the only one like it in the same, messy, rushed, carved writing. There where more, all signed or mentioning the name Veassen, and all wanting help, all seeming in so much pain and fear. Florien pitied whatever child wrote that, and prayed that the child had been spared or given a quick death… But Florien still not knowing that Veassen was the one who had begged for death and begged for help long ago, in the same position as Florien, and feeling the same – if not worse pain that Florien was and will be enduring during his stay.
Maelui, being the only one free out of all the curious, worried elves, walked over to the door of the torture room. The door was made of bars – he could easily see through just as easily as Veassen could spot Maelui spying on Florien.
"Came to watch Maelui?" Veassen grinned and arched an eyebrow, gazing over to Maelui, who had felt safe and thought that he was hiding well – not realizing that Veassen, even though half-elven, still had a good, elf's vision. Maelui sprang up at the sound of Veassen's voice.
"I, uh, I'm so sorry sir!" Maelui bowed quickly, then accidentally banging his head on the bars of the door. Maelui hit his head hard, and gasped in pain, quickly putting a hand over the slowly bruising spot of his brow.
"Don't be… I know you'll rush off as soon as I start. Your too, feminine to be able to withstand watching your friend here be tortured." Veassen said, hurting Maelui emotionally very much by saying just that one sentence. It made Maelui feel like he had to watch Florien's torture, and like Veassen said, he knew he couldn't do such a thing, he had only wanted to see what Veassen was doing, just seeing if as he hoped, it was a show, and Veassen wasn't truly going to cause Florien harm. Of course, Maelui was mistaken.
Maelui watching, turning away a couple times, as Veassen went to take a pick at which whip he'd like to use first on the trembling redhead that lay shaking on the wooden table. Maelui was too scared to see which it was, and turned away, putting both hands over his eyes in pure horror. At the same time that he did that, Florien shut his own eyes, feeling that if he did not look at what Veassen carried, it would hurt less.
Maelui ended up shutting his eyes and using his hands to cover his ears when he heard the first scream come from Florien's mouth that came after the swift whip. Veassen waiting a good ten seconds, at least, before each hit, giving Florien the chance to scream out loud and get a good feel of the whip.
The one scream Maelui blocked out was followed by many more, and blood was dripping down Florien's back as the whip continuously hit his delicate young back. After a while, the screams, the whip and the blood was too much for Maelui to withstand without being sick or loosing his mind.
Quickly and hastily, Maelui left in disgust, feeling awful for leaving Florien. Maelui needed to get outside, anywhere inside; you could hear Florien's screams and pleas for help.
Maelui stepped outside and breathed calmingly. Still, he was filled with worry for what would become of Florien. He did not think Veassen would go so hard on Florien that it would end the young elf's life, but he knew torment was much worse than a death – Florien had chosen death, after all.
As Maelui splashed water in his face in hope and attempt to erase what he had just heard and seen, in hope to clear his memory of all the awful things Veassen was currently doing to Florien, Maelui heard sounds in the distance, not sounds of torture coming from inside the gave though, it was something else, something coming from outside, outside the walls of the tall stone borders of the cave, something fast approaching.
Running to the door, Maelui pressed his ear against it and listened charily. Maelui was scared, he could here them, there was horses and people. He could hear voices: clear, elvish, fair voices. Elves where coming. Maelui wasn't sure what exactly to do, so he listened more, he hoped he would hear some voice, which he did.
"I do not remember this." One elvish voice mumbled, clear enough for Maelui to hear. Quiet murmurs went around, there wasn't only one elf, there where many, it was a troop… Maelui and Veassen wouldn't be able to protect themselves if they barged in… Maybe they wouldn't try to?
"We should try…" Another elf voice, another male elf, spoke. More murmurs came from the rest of the troop of elves, this time worried murmurs.
"It could be dangerous. Who knows what is in there? It could outnumber us." A worried male elvish voice spoke hastily to the group. Maelui knew that they would not be outnumbered… Veassen would be.
"We have to go. There's a chance it is just some deserted area… And we have to do our duty, the king will be furious if we do not return with his daughter, son-in-law and son-in-law's brother." Yet another different male elf spoke, more calmly than all the others. The elves went quiet; there was no more murmuring.
After a short moment of complete silence, an elf spoke. They where planning on how to enter… Maelui had a horrible feeling. Maelui never forgot the day Veassen said he had no where else to go, that Maelui's life would be nothing, that Maelui would be dead without Veassen providing him somewhere to live and food to eat. Maelui couldn't loose that and go to nothing, for surly Veassen wouldn't be let free if these elves caught him enslaving other elves.
Maelui did all he could think of doing: run to Veassen. Maybe they would be spared, and they could both become slaves to whoever ruled over the group of troops? Maelui hoped that whatever happened, it was quick, easy and with as little pain as possible – but he knew those elves where armed, he had heard some sheaths moving.
Maelui ran inside and bolted down the halls to the torture chamber. Maelui, in such a panic, did not even have a reaction to Florien on his knees, blood running down his body, begging for mercy.
Veassen looked up at Maelui, forgetting about Florien for the moment when he saw the panicked look on his young slave's face. Florien looked up to, which made Maelui heartbroken to see the redhead's pain filled eyes.
"What is it, Maelui?" Veassen could detect the panic in his slave instantly, probably because of their relationship as being twin brothers.
"There are elves, sir… Outside… They are breaking in… There are many of them, we are outnumbered, and we cannot fight them off." Maelui did have a panicked voice, and Veassen believed him very much. Quickly, Veassen locked the torture room and grabbed Maelui and Florien. Veassen forced the two into a large cupboard, and squeezed himself inside too.
In the cupboard, they barely fit. Veassen was bending over as not to be stabbed by some knives that hung from the top of the cupboard, Maelui sat on some very rough whips (which was definitely not a good place to sit), and Florien had the misfortune to be leaning against a long blade, but it barely affected him since he was barely cognisant.
As they sat (and stood) in complete silence, they did indeed hear voices, elves, they had entered the yard and where in the cave now. Veassen could hear them very well, they where looking for something, or someone. And, they found whom they searched for.
Illiendal was resting beside her dear husband Haldir, his arms around her. In the cell beside them, Rumil watched, and felt an awful feeling for his brother and sister-in-law. Rumil didn't have any other family but them, so of course they where most dear to him, and to have the two separated from their elfling hurt Rumil, just to watch and think of how his little nephew Galadhril coped with the loss.
As Rumil watched, he did hear the same noises as Veassen had heard… Elves where entering. Rumil prayed that what he heard where good people, whoever they where. But as they approached, their voices became clearer and clearer, and at once, he knew who was entering, and he cried out in joy.
Haldir and Illiendal quickly looked over at Rumil who looked more pleased than they had ever seen him, and they had no idea why. Before his brother or sister-in-law could ask any questions, Rumil explained.
"Haldir, Illiendal, there are elves! I can hear elves… Not any elves, I can hear Lord Thranduil! Illiendal, Haldir, we are saved! We will never have to live here again!" Rumil cried out in joy, often repeating himself excitedly.
The voices became louder and louder and they came closer to the imprisoned area. Haldir was tempted to yell out, but did not want to risk it, just in case Rumil was mistaken and these elves where not of Mirkwood or of anywhere good – or maybe they where not even elves!
But as they entered, it was proven that they where Mirkwood elves – Thranduil and his troops. Out of them, Haldir recognized Thranduil, Cield and Tonus. Cield was one to love doing such missions, but Tonus was not the same, so Haldir wondered why Tonus would have attended.
But, even once everyone noticed that they had found their princess, Tonus still looked distraught, it looked like that was not why he came. But, ignoring that, Haldir was more than pleased to see his father-in-law.
"Illiendal!" Thranduil ran to the bars, and Illiendal did likewise, grabbing onto her father's hands. Thranduil had tears filling his eyes in joy of finally being reunited with his daughter, so glad to know that she had lived through this.
"Don't worry Illiendal, you will be out in a few moments. We can talk on the way home; you wont ever have to worry again… This wont ever happens again." Thranduil wanted to comfort his daughter as much as he could; he had no idea what may have happened here.
Soon, elves where sawing away at the bars to Illiendal and Haldir's cage. As soon as there was an opening large enough for an elf, Thranduil ran in and grabbed his daughter, spinning her around and holding her close.
"Illiendal, my beloved Illiendal! I thought you where lost forever…" Thranduil whispered as he embraced her. Meanwhile, elves where sawing away at the bars to Rumil's cage, who was eager to get outside for some fresh air.
"Haldir, come, you are free now too! Your son is safe in Mirkwood with Orophin; everything will be well once again." Thranduil smiled at his son-in-law fondly. Haldir smiled back, but shook his head.
"I cannot, sir. Apparently, I was putting up to great of a fight." Haldir showed the chains that locked his left ankle to the wall, and Thranduil couldn't help but smile.
"Well… At least, it shows, you where too strong for them to leave alone… It shows your strength." Thranduil said as he approached his son-in-law and carefully freed his foot. As soon as Haldir was released, he ran to Illiendal and hugged her tightly.
Rumil was free soon after and joined his brother and in-laws in a reunion. As happy as they where, they had to leave soon, and all that both Illiendal and Haldir cared about was their son, they wanted to see him. It had been a year since they last saw their little, precious Galadhril, and they wanted him back so badly.
"Please ada… We must see Galadhril. I miss him so much, my poor baby!" Illiendal was near tears, so overcome with emotions. Thranduil rubbed her back soothingly.
"Galadhril is safe, in the palace, watched by Orophin. Nothing bad will come of him, you can be certain of that. He is in good hands." Thranduil whispered promisingly. Haldir sighed with relief.
"All this time, I only dreading my son ending up hurt or sick, or upset… I just wanted him alright." Haldir was very grateful, and Thranduil and the elves slowly left the cave, not one thinking to look any further, not to find who did this, not to find Florien. They just wanted to leave.
Haldir, Illiendal and Rumil where taken outside. They each had to share a horse with one of the elves already there, and they did so without hesitation. They wanted to leave and never come back, and they where so fixed on their one goal of getting rid of this awful memory, none of them thought of the poor redheaded boy that they where leaving behind, the poor boy who no one knew how long it would be until they next met.
They wouldn't meet for a while, in fact. Tonus, who wanted Florien back so bad, would slowly forget of Florien. Of course Tonus would always remember his first born, but slowly, the depression would fade though it still would haunt him, and slowly his entire worries would be only for Faeron, and Florien being alive or not, he couldn't worry over, because he needed all his attention for Faeron.
For many years, Florien would remain under Veassen's power, in his cell, growing in his cell, and living without his parents, alone, abused.
Now we go to a different time, years later. Florien is very much less than one year to being an adult, and at this point, has not lived a very productive, proper childhood, in fact, it has damaged him greatly…
To be continued…Bberry06: I love little Faeron… He's so sweet… YES! EVERYONE CAN LIVE!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Well, Veassen is pretty young too, but you wont find out his age for some while.
NuEvil: Tonus really has a problem.
Caprice Ann: Well, most of them are home… Most… I love Faeron too!
Mistopurr: I like the sounds of that, but it wont happen to Yáviel… Though, I could use it with someone else!