Author's Notes:

Language alert and a naked Legolas alert.

Short bios of the OC characters are available for those who haven't read the first two stories in the Black Rider Chronicles. If you want to know more about a certain OC character or even all of them, just let me know and I will email the bio to you. I am offering this because my OC characters are complex and as Shrek would say, "They're like onions - they have layers."

In Chapter 13, I said that I had written the chapter while concealing an important fact about the High Chieftain, but alas, nobody guessed what that fact was. The secret is … the High Chieftain is a woman. I wanted to see if I could create a realistic character without referring to gender and believe me, it was extremely difficult to do.

The Thurin Tirith Guards were introduced in the story Possession and are entering the story at this point. The Thurin Tirith are the Special Forces warriors of the Eldar - truly the Best of the Best. Highly trained and extremely skilled, they live to serve their Charge, the one they are assigned to, and no other, as military support, confidantes, teachers, protectors and in rare cases when a bonding occurs, as friends. They serve loyally and without question, without impure thoughts or actions and are bound by their warrior code to follow their Charge into death.

They are always in groups of four and as of the time this story takes place, only four units remain on Middle Earth, the others having followed their charges into death or to the Undying Lands. If a Unit follows their Charge to the Halls of Mandos, the Charge then has the option to keep his/her unit with them or send them back to serve someone else. If the latter is the case, the Valar grants the Unit the grace of not having to remember the manner or moment of their deaths.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

In truth, I stood upon the brink of Hell's abyss,
The valley of despair,
And from its throat a thundering sound,
The aggregate of all the misery below,
Assailed my ears.
 Dante's Inferno

Chapter 15

Ostara

By the time the five dark riders had passed through the gates of the elven haven of Imladris and had stopped near the steps of the Last Homely House, the Stable Master and four of his assistants were already waiting. The four assistants took the horses belonging to the Guards to the stable while the Stable Master, who insisted that he alone should be allowed to care for the great stallion, smiled and laid his hand on his old friend's headstall.

"Welcome home, Old Man."

With assurances to the stallion's rider that he would be properly cared for, Elias was led away to rest while Anayah and her Guards wearily climbed the steps - glad to be home at last.

After having received the message from her father to come home immediately, Anayah and the Guards had quickly, yet satisfactorily concluded their diplomatic mission and had left for Imladris soon after. Their diplomatic work was important for it was Sauron's desire to drive a stake deep into the heart of the relationship between the remaining elves and men and between the different races of men. But it was also the design of the elves to mend that damage as quickly as the forces of darkness could create it no matter how tiny or insignificant the damage seemed to be. For when the time finally came for the King of Men to assume his throne, the fewer divisions that existed in all races, the greater the chances were that the King's efforts to once again reunite the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor would be a success.

But, just as important as Anayah's diplomatic responsibilities were, her responsibility to protect and champion the future King of Men was just as important and even though her brother was extremely capable of taking care of himself, there were times when outside intervention was necessary. Aragorn could take care of himself, but he was not invincible and so when her father had called her home, she had not questioned the summons and had responded to it immediately.

Anayah and her Guards had ridden continuously and at a brisk pace for the past five days, stopping only long enough to feed, water and rest the horses. Now they had arrived at their destination at last and glad they were that a hot bath and their beds lay just beyond the doors in front of them.

It was late and all those who dwelled in the house, residents as well as guests, had retired for the evening and so there was nobody about to mark their arrival. Anayah was so tired that she scarcely knew where she was going and would have walked right passed the stairs that led to the family's living quarters and her bedroom, if Rahan hadn't reached out and grabbed the collar of her tunic then turned her in the right direction. And if she hadn't almost been asleep on her feet, the words she mumbled as she began to climb the stairs would probably have sounded like what they were supposed to be - a thank you and goodnight.

Rahan, the big Noldor Captain of her Guards, shook his head as he watched Anayah tiredly pull herself up the stairs. He would go to the warrior barracks to store his weapons then would go check on his Commander to make sure that she had actually found her room and hadn't wandered into the room of an unsuspecting family member or guest by mistake.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

The amber eyes of the High Chieftain carefully studied the slave in front of her, her mind just barely processing what else she had inherited from Tarag besides the beautiful jewel. Of all the myriad of possibilities of beings that fate could have placed in her path, it had to be an elf - and a defiant one at that.

The guards at Tarag's compound had already beat him to his knees once for not showing her the proper respect and even her Captain, Garm, had lashed the pitiful creature with the whip one of the compound guards had handed him. For the second time the elf defiantly forced himself to his feet and had stood there swaying, once more refusing to lower his eyes.

Ostara stood there staring at the elf for a moment, debating whether or not to put the thing out of its misery when a memory surfaced that she had thought to be long buried. She frowned and turned to Garm.

"Bring him." Was all she said before she turned to where one of her new slaves was holding the reins of her horse for her.

As she approached the two, the slave dropped to his knees and lowered his eyes, as was the accustomed practice when in the presence of the High Chieftain. After she took the reins from the trembling human, she lashed out with a booted foot and savagely kicked the slave in the chest and knocked the man over. Her horse danced nervously away from the one-sided confrontation and without a further thought or even a glance at the human laying on the ground trying to catch his breath, Ostara, High Chieftain of the city of Hoth, wheeled her horse then rode off in the direction of the Palace.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

When Ostara got to the Palace and after she had dismounted and the animal had been led away, she turned to her Captain who had arrived shortly after she had and who was leading Legolas who had been forced to run behind the Captain's horse.

"Take the elf to his new accommodations, Garm, and introduce him to his two 'Inn Keepers.' Tell them that the standard instructions will suffice, then find Greyfell and tell him I want him to bring this thing to me at luncheon tomorrow."

Nodding his head to the High Chieftain, Garm turned away and walked toward the cells located in the lower level of the Palace and as he did, he jerked on the chain attached to Legolas's slave collar so hard that the elf was jerked completely off his feet. Without so much as another look at the being he was half dragging behind him, the Captain walked by the other Palace servants and down the hall that led to the steps of the dungeon level.

Though none of the servants raised their eyes as Garm passed, as soon as he had passed them by, they raised sympathetic eyes and followed the progress of the two as they moved down the hall. They knew that the elf would be brutalized by Ostara as well as his keepers, for even as weak and worn as he was at the present, there was still a spark that could be seen and that refused to die. It would be for that spark that he would be punished for Ostara would allow no light to outshine what she perceived to be her own.

As Legolas followed the cruel Captain down the hall, he cast furtive looks about him, taking in his surroundings and trying to see if there were any ways for him to escape. He could find nothing that might aid in an escape attempt and so was forced to follow Garm on a path that he knew would lead to despair. The two of them finally reached the lower level of the palace that housed the slaves and prisoners then walked down a dim corridor to an open cell at the very end of the row. Garm handed the chain to jailers and after telling them that Greyfell would come for him before luncheon the next day, he turned and left the way they had just come.

The two jailers, as most jailers are who spend most of their days in dank dark places, looked and acted as if their brains as well as their bodies were probably craving a little sun. They were taller and thinner and much paler versions of the free citizens Legolas had seen walking down the streets of the city when their slave wagon had first arrived in Hoth. Their first duty as InnKeepers, as they had been nicknamed, was to instruct new slaves about what was expected of them and exactly what the protocol of the court was.

The first jailer, Carag, grabbed Legolas by the back of his collar and slammed him forcefully into the stone wall. Then, thinking he hadn't done it well enough or hard enough the first time, did it again.

"Welcome to your new home Master Freak. I only have two rules here - do what you are told to do and when you speak to me you lower your eyes, get on your knees and address me as Master. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

Carag violently shoved Legolas's face into the wall again, this time opening a cut above his right eye, then slammed his fist into the elf's kidneys twice.

"I didn't quite hear you freak. What did you say?"

"I said yes, Master." Legolas panted as he tried to get control of his pain.

He patted Legolas on the head.

"Good boy. That's what I thought you said."

Using the collar as leverage, Carag spun Legolas around and flung him in the direction of the second jailer, Dagnir, who was standing inside the cell and who used Legolas's forward momentum to drive his fist into the elf's stomach, causing him to fall to his knees with both arms wrapped tightly around his still-healing ribs and gasping for air.

"My name is Master, as well. Palace Protocol is simple. Do not speak unless spoken to, and never look at the High Chieftain, that means, lower your eyes and go to your knees whenever she approaches. Do you understand?"

When Legolas wasn't quick enough to answer him, Dagnir grabbed him by his hair and slapped him hard on both sides of his face.

"Speak up freak - I didn't hear what you said!"

Tears stung Legolas's eyes and it was difficult for him to master his emotions before he spoke.

"Yes Master." He said quietly.

Dagnir patted his cheeks.

"Good boy. Now that you have learned that little lesson, let's move on to something else."

Without warning he drove his fist into Legolas's jaw, knocking him to the floor of the cell.

"You are the lowest form of life."

The brutal jailer emphasized the statement by kicking Legolas hard in the stomach, causing him to curl himself into a ball.

"You are worth nothing and have nothing of value."

He savagely kicked Legolas in the back then turned to his friend.

"Do you have anything to add Carag?"

The other jailer moved into the cell from where he had been standing in the corridor then knelt beside the injured elf.

"You will get nothing unless it is by the will of the High Chieftain."

After Dagnir knelt on the other side of Legolas and almost in unison, the two pulled out their boot knives. Carag smiled maliciously.

"And that includes your clothes."

When both Guards left five minutes later after locking the cell, Legolas had been stripped of all his clothes and was left huddled and shivering in a cold, dark corner of his cell.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

The only indication Legolas had that it was morning was when the three humans came to get him. The new human was as different from the two "Inn Keepers" as Northern Mirkwood was from Southern Mirkwood and since he couldn't get a good look at the new human, he had to be satisfied with stealing little glances. There was something about the tall, grey-eyed man that somehow reminded him of Aragorn, yet there was something else that was familiar to him on a personal level - he just couldn't figure out what it was.

Carag attached a chain to Legolas's collar and put manacles on his wrists and when Legolas got to his feet, the jailer jerked on the chain so hard that Legolas stumbled into the grey-eyed man but when Carag raised a fist to punish Legolas for his impertinence, he was stopped by the soft voice of the new human.

"Don't." Was all he said.

"But Greyfell …" Carag began.

Greyfell merely held up his hand and the jailer fell silent, then without another word, turned and after Dagnir retrieved two other prisoners, also without clothing, all three began the long walk through the palace.

Legolas was totally humiliated to be seen without clothes on by others in the Palace. Elves viewed their sexuality differently than most other races and while it would normally not have bothered him to be seen without clothing, he knew that the nakedness in this instance was more symbolic - the symbol of worthlessness and subjugation - and those were two very hurtful words to one of the Eldar. He told himself that stripping the clothes off new slaves was probably just part of the indoctrination process used by the Leader of these people but he could now say, from a personal viewpoint, that it was quite an effective tactic.

The sunny side of the courtyard was a large wire enclosed dirt-floored enclosure and one that was probably used when slaves were on display for prospective buyers or were there to entertain. The High Chieftain was dining with several other minor chieftains but after Greyfell had signaled the prisoners to stop a respectful distance away from the diners then had walked forward and whispered in Ostara's ear, she looked at the man then signaled that the prisoners should be brought closer.

When the woman rose from the table Legolas was instantly fascinated by her for she stood very close to 6'2" tall which was an uncommon height for a human woman. But it wasn't only her height that was unusual - it was how she was built overall for her body had musculature that would have been more fitting on a man together with huge arms as well as hands that looked as if it would take only one of them to circle his throat. The way she was built almost made her look grotesque and Legolas didn't even realize that he had been staring until he saw her fist coming at him and after the impact, when he saw the bright shining lights. His head cleared quickly when Carag roughly jerked him up from where he was lying on his back then forced him to his knees. Ostara glared at Carag and Dagnir.

"Did you two not teach this thing Palace Protocol?"

Dagnir answered for both his partner and himself.

"Yes, High Chieftain, we did - he's just a little slow to learn."

She snorted sarcastically as she looked down at the elf.

"Maybe a couple of days without food or water will help him learn his lessons a bit more quickly."

Ostara turned to the Guards.

"Take him back to his accommodations and take these other two to the quarry. Greyfell, bring the elf back to me at this same time two days from now - I want to see if he is a little more compliant by then. Now go."

With a nod, Greyfell turned away and without even looking at Legolas or the other prisoners, walked back into the Palace and towards the cells.

Ostara didn't even wait for Greyfell's reply before turning back to the other Chieftains at the table. Her treatment of the prisoners was completely in character for her and it was this capacity for cold, calculating brutality that kept all of them in line for there was not one among them that was willing to oppose her. They didn't respect their High Chieftain, nor did they even admire her - they were scared to death of her.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

By the time Legolas was finally thrown into his dark, damp cell, there were rivulets of blood running down his naked chest for both Carag and Dagnir seemed to take a perverse pleasure in jerking him around by his lead chain. Then when he would stumble and fall, whoever was holding the chain would not wait for him to regain his feet, but would keep on walking, dragging the elf until he had once more regained his feet. When the two would get too carried away with their little game, Greyfell would turn and without even having to utter a word, the two Inn Keepers would stop tormenting the prisoner and lower their eyes. It was clear the two jailers were not well liked by the tall human.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Two days later, this time with clothing, Legolas was again taken to the sunny courtyard where Ostara was again dining with another group of chieftains. Before she could even rise from her chair, Legolas took advantage of his keeper's moment of inattentiveness and jerking his lead chain out of the man's hands, bolted for the fence.

He had made it to the fence and was halfway up the wire when he heard the sound of an approaching horse and felt the coils of a rope settle around his shoulders. He was wrenched backwards off the fence, cruelly cutting his hands on the wire as he was violently forced to loose his hold. When he hit the ground, all the air left his body and left him gasping for air and seeing little sparkles of light.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

While his horse kept backing away from the elf just enough to keep the rope taut, Greyfell raised his eyes and looked to where the High Chieftain was sitting with her guests. When she raised her hand into the air with only two fingers showing, Greyfell nodded then wheeled his horse and galloped around the courtyard twice, dragging the elf behind him. After the second circuit of the courtyard had been completed, Greyfell stopped in the exact spot he had begun his gallop and dismounted from his horse.

He bent over a dusty, cut and bleeding elf and retrieved his rope.

"Don't do something stupid like that again for next time there may be someone here besides me and who will not try to miss the big rocks that lay in abundance on the ground."

Legolas looked into the grey eyes that were looking back at him and for a split second, he could have sworn that he saw compassion in the man's eyes. But then the moment was gone and Greyfell roughly jerked him to his feet by his lead chain and walked him back to where the High Chieftain sat with her guests.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Legolas was shoved roughly to his knees where he knelt with lowered eyes, trying to fight back the tears of frustration and pain that he knew were threatening him. Then there was a rhythmic vibration of the ground and he sensed that the High Chieftain was approaching. She grabbed his lead chain close to the collar and with one hand lifted him off the ground then brought him close enough to her face so that the force in her amber eyes was almost painful to him.

"Try something stupid like that again elf, and I won't be so nice."

She threw him from her and when his body hit the cobblestones at her feet, his head struck the stones and was cut open. Ostara paid him no further attention and turned to the jailers who were both standing before her with downcast eyes.

"He's been bad. You two know what to do - it's three days for him."

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Legolas only partially remembered the trip back to his cell. His jailers kept accidentally tripping him so they would have a chance to drag him then they would either beat him or kick him, claiming he had looked at them or had said something even though he remained silent. After they had once more stripped his clothes from him and he had made sure they had left, he looked at his hands and bleeding wrists and even though he saw the blood, he was so numb psychology and physically that he no longer felt the pain as much.

Closing his eyes, he began to rock back and forth in an effort to comfort himself and this time, two tears escaped his eyes and made tracks down his dirty face.

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Three days later, the door of the cell was opened and Greyfell stepped through and walked quietly to the corner of the room where he saw the elf huddled into a ball, still and pale. Kneeling down beside the pitiful being, the man held out a hand and felt for a pulse and when he found it and had determined that the elf was only sleeping, laid a hand on his shoulder and gently shook him.

"Hey." He said quietly. "Wake up, Ostara has sent for you."

Slipping his hands under the elf's arms, he lifted him to his feet and helped him over to the bed, noting how much weight Legolas had lost since he had come to the Palace. He shook his head then reached into an inside pocket of his cloak and took out a large piece of bread and put it into the elf's hands then watched as it was consumed in several hasty bites. As he helped him put on his clothes, he talked to him.

"I'm sorry it's just a piece of bread and not something a little better although I guess it's better than nothing. Now I'm going to tell you something that you must remember."

He helped Legolas stand, also noting the blank look in his eyes.

"Whenever we see anybody else from the Palace, I will have to become just like them. I'm confiding in you because I want you to know that not everyone is loyal to Ostara in their hearts."

There was still no response from the blonde elf and when Greyfell put his hand on the side of Legolas's face, trying to make sure he had his attention the blank look changed to one of fright and he tried to jerk away from the man. Greyfell stood for a moment with a dark look in his eyes.

"That bitch!" He said before he took Legolas's lead chain then turned and walked from the cell.

TBC

8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Screwed By Life: Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. I hope you continue to enjoy the journey! 8-)

Kukumalu: Thank you for the review and the kind words - you made my day! There is something coming in a few chapters that Tolkien wrote about but as far as I know has never been written about by any fanfiction writer. I think you will enjoy it - especially if you are looking for something different. Each of my characters will have a go at the spotlight before the end so I hope that you will continue to read and enjoy.