Disclaimer: I still do not own LOTR! DAMN!

This chapter goes out to all those patient people who have been waiting for me to update. Enjoy - DLN

Subtle Cruelties

Amanda

It was happening again. I always knew now, I was back in that house hearing the sickening thud of my father's hand on my mother. This was wrong I lived with Gandalf this part of my life was over, I had moved on I was happy with my new life. I heard my mother's keening wail and back up to the wall burying my face in my hands. I panicked when my mother would leave because then he would come for me and he would be twice as brutal already angered by my mother. He would come for me, my own dreams were my personal torment that would never go away, I would never be rid of him as long as I had my nightmares.

Laurelin

I had woken up but I had no idea why but then I heard an almost inaudible whimper. Amanda was dreaming I reached over to touch her face top awaken her but drew my hand back when I encountered moisture. Amanda the mage was crying in her sleep. She hadn't done that in years since she was a mere girl I awoke fully and sat up.

"Amanda," I called to her as I laid my hands on her shoulders and shook her lightly. "Wake up please, you no longer lead that life of pain you are among those that love you!" I spoke in hushed tones yet tried to convey the importance of my command in my voice. She whimpered again and then opened her eyes she smiled at me sleepily tears still glistening in her eyes.

"Laurelin thank you," she sighed. A swift rap on the door followed her words. I rose, lit a candle, and strode to the door. I opened it to see Gandalf on the other side. He came in as I moved to the side for him, he moved to the bed and sat down as he drew Amanda into his lap, Gandalf had not had to do this in a very long time.

"Hush my child he cannot and will not hurt you ever again," Gandalf rubbed her back soothingly. She wound her hands so tightly in the front of Gandalf's robes that you could see the whites of her knuckles. Amanda was not the sort to look for physical companionship but Gandalf was always there when she needed his strength and wisdom, I would never know what it was to be broken emotionally but Amanda knew all to well, Amanda had been broken when Gandalf had found her and he had lovingly pieced her back together.

"I saw him Daddy, I saw him, he hurt me Daddy," Amanda sobbed her wet with tears both shed and unshed.

"No my dear, he'll never hurt you ever again," Gaddy said guiding her head to his chest and stroking her hair.

"No you don't understand," she wailed brokenly. " You weren't there!" Understanding dawned in my brain she wasn't talking about her dream she was breaking down now about the incident in Bree.

"Father?" I interrupted. He looked at me a question in his eyes and I continued, " She saw him in Bree he accosted her." Gandalf's face whitened visibly several shades.

"What did he do to your sister?" asked Gaddy.

" he hit her in the eye Father, I didn't have a chance to stop him the bruise she had that was fading when she arrived in Rivendell was caused by him," I replied choosing my words carefully.