2
Aragorn took about an hour to thoroughly clean the elf's foot. The elf was wide awake but lay in quiet, unwilling acquiescence nursing his swollen jaw. He refused to meet the ranger's gaze and Aragorn had given up trying to explain his actions. Finlorn had awoken while Aragorn had been preparing a soothing paste to apply to the bruised and swollen areas. The old man had immediately moved to the elf's side and began speaking to him gently. In moments the elf had calmed considerably and Aragorn was able to work at a faster pace. When he tied off the last bandage the elf gasped. Finlorn shushed him softly, brushing damp tendrils of hair off his face.
"Make sure he drinks all of that," Aragorn said nodding toward a tin of cooling liquid. "It will ease his pain and let him sleep."
Finlorn nodded in agreement and Aragorn began to clean up. He stood and stretched, feeling his aching back pop into place. He had been kneeling for more than an hour and he was tired and sweaty. He tossed the used squares of cloth into the fire and moved to the river's edge to wash his hands clean of the medicines he had been using. Stooping, he cupped a handful of cold clean water and washed his face. It was still night and the wind was strong and blew cold across the river.
Soon he heard the old man's footsteps approaching from behind him. "He's resting easy…thank ye ranger."
Aragorn stood, wiping his hands on his shirt.
"You are welcome," he said shortly.
Puzzled by the ranger's abruptness the old man turned away. He had not taken three steps when Aragorn spoke.
"Tell me Finlorn, why is it that the shoe was locked so securely upon the elf's limb?"
The tone of Aragorn's voice stopped the old man in his tracks; he neither turned around nor answered.
"And why is it," continued the ranger, "that such a device that is meant to help him is so heavy that he must drag himself about like a lame thing."
Finlorn slowly turned about to face the angry ranger. His lower lip trembled, he tried to speak but the words would not come.
Aragorn took one step closer to the old man. "Shall I tell you what I believe?" he asked softly.
When Finlorn did not reply he said,
"I believe that you and your son did indeed find and save this elf," he said. "But you did not keep him out of concern; you kept him away from villages and towns and any eyes that would know him for what he is so that you could use him as a servant."
"No, no you do not understand." Finlorn protested, stepping back from the livid ranger.
"Oh but I think I do," countered Aragorn stepping forward again. "What better slave could a man ask for than one that never ages and never gets sick. One that has forgotten who he is and is at the mercy of lies he has been fed for fifteen years!"
"No, Strider…" Finlorn's eyes filled with tears.
"No?" questioned Aragorn cocking his head. "Tell me, how many years have you kept him tethered like a dog on a leash, a mill stone upon his foot unable to fight or flee. How many years have you kept him at dreary tasks that anyone would find taxing?"
Finlorn shook his head in negation, his hand rose and fell wanting to explain but he could not find the words.
This seemed to incense Aragorn even more.
"I tell you truly, I do not strike you down where you stand for you are old and the elf has shown some care for you. But on the morrow you will gather your things and I will leave you at the nearest village. The elf I shall take with me, beyond the reach of your tender mercies."
"I do not think that I can allow you such liberties ranger," said a deeply amused voice.
Without even turning around Aragorn knew that Talen had returned.
…………………
The cross bow was aimed directly at his chest. It was held in the unwavering hands of a giant of a man. His red hair was wild and his eyes shone brilliant green in the firelight.
"Keep those hands away from that sword!" he commanded.
Aragorn raised his hands. His face was calm, but inside his gut churned.
'Fine ranger you are,' he chastised himself.
"Take his sword da," Talen rumbled.
Trembling Finlorn removed Aragorn's sword from around his waist.
"I am sorry ranger," he whispered. It was clear that he was terrified of his son.
"Give it here."
Without taking his eyes off Aragorn, Talen took the sword from his father's aged fingers and dropped it to the ground. He placed one massive foot upon it.
"We have a problem," he said to Aragorn.
"Talen he is a healer, he helped the boy." Finlorn interrupted breathlessly.
Talen snorted, but darted a glance at his father.
"And what be wrong wid 'im? He een never been sick before."
"Twere 'is foot. It were all tore up from wearing the shoe too long," Finlorn replied. "It's been three months since ye'd gone."
Talen glared at his father.
"There's an old nag tied up at along th' way, fetch it and tie up the wagon. We leave in the mornin'."
With a flick of his head Talen shooed the old man away.
Throughout the exchange Aragorn had been weighing his chances of survival. Talen cleverly stayed just out of his reach, if he tried to disarm him he would be skewered dead centre before taking one step. His sword was in his enemy's hands. His hunting knife was hidden deep in his boot, also out of reach. It seemed that he was out of options after all. Barely twenty three years old, he thought briefly that this was not the way he had imagined himself ending his days on Middle Earth.
"You really a healer, ranger?" Talen asked.
"I am."
"A bit young aint ye?"
"I am older than I seem," the ranger replied boldly.
Talen narrowed his eyes examining the ranger from head to toe.
"Is what da says true? Is the elf hurt?"
"The metal tore through the tender part of his foot and the muscles are stretched and bruised. He will be unable to walk for a week."
"I do not need him to walk," Talen said with a snort.
"You mean to kill me then?" Aragorn asked bluntly.
"I am no killer of men," Talen responded.
"But you are a keeper of elves." Aragorn retorted, dropping his hands to his side.
"Ah, that is what bothers you. Why? Elves have no care for men. They live in their warm halls, while we struggle to survive in the cold places of the world."
"You know nothing of elves," said Aragorn angrily.
"Aye, I know enough. They keep the riches of the world, the best of everything for themselves. They stay young while we wither and die. And do they share their secrets? No, not with the likes of you and me."
"It is the doom of Eru that man should die and be released form the circles of this world," said Aragorn earnestly.
"Doom? Doom! Then it be the doom of Eru that this elf be in my hands. For were it not for me and the skills of mine father he'd be cold dead as the stones. His life is mine."
They stood there facing each other. Talen's handsome face was twisted in bitterness and his eyes burned with malevolence.
Speechless Aragorn felt like a living force, the heavy weight of ignorance and hatred in Talen's stare. Despite his earlier words Aragorn knew that Talen would slay him, if only to keep his secret. His eyes fell away from Talen's brilliant stare and by chance looked upon the small pouch of coin at his waist. His earnings from the trading of his furs no doubt.
And just like that, an idea blossomed in his mind.
"How much is the elf worth to you?" he asked suddenly.
Talen squinted at him as though he had not heard correctly.
"What?" he asked.
"How much? What value do you place on this elf of yours?" Aragorn insisted.
"Why do ye ask such a thing?"
"I wish to buy him."
"Buy him!" exclaimed Talen with a laugh. "What with? I'll do no barter with ye, though yer mare is a fine horse."
"I speak of gold coin," said Aragorn pressing his advantage for though Talen demurred, the sheen of interest was in his eyes.
"Gold coin?" Talen sneered in disbelief. "Where would one such as yerself get gold coin? Rangers are poor, homeless men."
"You should not be so quick to judge. My cloth is for my own safety, as for the coin I have more than I could use," Aragorn said truthfully.
"Ah, a rich man's brat out for a stroll," Talen said dismissively rubbing at his chin.
"I offer five gold coin for the elf," Aragorn said quickly lest Talen lose interest.
The giant's eyes narrowed shrewdly, he knew that there was something amiss, yet his need outweighed his good sense.
"And what of your fine words about elves and the like. Were it just so much wind?"
Aragorn swallowed, Talen was no fool. The cross bow had not yet wavered in his hands, not one inch. With a silent prayer he said,
"I would keep him in silks and jewels, not in such squalor. His hands are made for finer things than washing dishes and scraping hides."
To Aragorn's amazement Talen burst out in raucous laughter.
"Ah the airs of the rich! We are not so different ye and I. But tell me why should I not just kill ye and take the coin and keep the elf."
"You could kill me, but you will find no coin. I have buried it out there. I am not so stupid to walk into a stranger's camp unprepared," Aragorn lied.
Talen stared at Aragorn as though measuring him anew.
"I will think on your offer ranger. On the morrow I will decide. For now," he said and at last lowered his weapon, "I am hungry and tired and in need of food."
Bending he picked up Aragorn's sword and tucked it under his massive arm.
"Ye'll get this back tomorrow. When we've concluded our business"
With a nod he walked away to the fire. He bellowed at his father and soon Finlorn was scurrying about getting him food and drink.
Aragorn stood silently at the river's edge, his bowels slowly unclenching. Soon he too made his way back to the camp.
…………………
While Talen ate and drank, Aragorn checked on the sleeping elf. He did so more out of habit than necessity. The elf seemed to be doing well, his breathing was even and light as it should be. The twitching of the muscles in his leg had ceased.
"What'd yer give him?" Talen asked curiously startling Aragorn with the question.
"Just a herb for the pain. He should wake before morn," he answered.
"I thought rich folk knew naught of medicines and such."
"My father is a great healer in Gondor. I learned from him," was Aragorn's quick reply.
Talen digested this bit of information in silence. He had never been to the great city. He looked at Aragorn with new respect.
"Come over to the fire ranger, let us talk awhile." he invited.
…………….
Talen talked of many things as the night moved on. Finally when he could keep his lids open no longer, he said.
"I bid ye good night Strider," and simply rolled over in his thick cloak and went to sleep.
Aragorn noted however that Talen's hand did not stray far from his weapon and that he kept the sword beneath his well muscled bulk. Finlorn avoided the ranger altogether and crept quietly to the wagon to lie beneath its meagre shelter. With a sigh Aragorn crossed to where his coat lay and bedded down. And though he did not intend to, he fell deeply asleep.
…………………..
Again it was a small sound that woke the ranger. Bleary eyed Aragorn did not move at first but instead listened carefully. The sound came from whence the elf lay. He sat up in concern. There was not much light to see by, but what he did see made his heart thump painfully in his chest. That the elf had awoken was clear. Talen had sat him upright and was supporting him with one massive arm. As Aragorn stared Talen pulled the elf close and freed his hair of the leather thong that bound it. He ran his large fingers through the heavy golden weight of it. Grasping a fistful of the golden silk he tilted the elf's head back and caught his slightly parted lips in a deep kiss. With a sigh the giant suckled the elf's neck, feathering the smooth column with light kisses.
With eager but clumsy hands he pushed the rough shirt first off one shoulder then the next, luxuriating in the feel of the softly glowing skin. With a sigh the giant ran his tongue along the hollow of each shoulder. Then, ever so slowly Talen pushed the shirt down to the elf's waist. The elf did not resist, neither did he make a single sound.
Aragorn breath quickened as his shock dissipated and ire grew, he shifted, meaning to put a stop to the man's actions. But before he could rise, from out of nowhere Finlorn whispered,
"Do not interfere ranger. My son would kill you quicker than a thought. Then there will be no end to the boy's torment."
"How could you let him do this?" Aragorn hissed accusingly, turning to face the old man in the near gloom.
"Believe me I tried to stop him when I knew, but it were years afore I discovered his goings on. By then he was stronger then me. He near beat me half to death. I try to do what I can for the boy…"
"I cannot let this happen," Aragorn insisted.
"It has happened many times before," Finlorn said sadly laying a gnarled hand on Aragorn's arm. "Keep yer head on ranger, ye are unarmed and ye'd not win him in a fight. Let it lie and take the boy away tomorrow. Talen loves the smell o' gold more than life itself. He will accept your offer."
"I cannot," Aragorn insisted.
"T'is the only way or ye doom him to more years o the same."
Aragorn's shrugged off the old man's hand but he did not stir, he knew the truth of Finlorn's words.
…………………
Closer to the dying embers of the burnt out fire Talen was caressing the delicately peaked tips of the elf's ear. This drew unwilling shudders of pleasure from the elf who tried to control his response. But three months of freedom had made him forget and so, he was doubly vulnerable to Talen's practised manipulations. When Talen's large hands delved between his legs he uttered a wordless plea. A pitiful sound that protested the memory of pain and acceptance of the inevitability of more. But Talen did not hear the supplication, to his earsthe sound bespoke his dominance over the creature in his grasp. Harshly did he stroke that which he should never have touched and soon the elf's back arched and a tremulous moan escaped his lips. Talen covered that soft mouth with his own, swallowing any further sound the elf might make.
Aragorn sat hunched within the folds of his cloak, eyes staring unseeingly out to where the river chuckled merrily on its way. In misery did his ears hear the groans of pain and the heavy expirations as Talen brutally breeched the elf. All too clearly came the sickening sound of flesh slapping against bare flesh in mindless rhythm. He heard the soft appeals that went unheeded. He heard the grunts of satisfaction as the huge man reached his pinnacle of pleasure.
But when he thought it was over, it began anew. Twice more did Talen take his pleasure of the elf and by the end Aragorn clearly heard the wretched sobs wrenched from the throat of the tarnished firstborn.
But even this was not enough for Talen; for he was only satisfied when he had spilled the last of his seed deep within the warm, trembling mouth of the elf who knelt before him in utter abasement.
………………….
Aragorn awoke with a start minutes before the sun peaked over the horizon. He did not remember having slept. His head pounded and his eyes hurt. A foul taste was in his mouth. Stumbling, he made his way to the edge of the tree line and relieved himself in the bushes. Tears prickled the backs of his eyes, then spilled down his face, but he dashed them angrily away. Woodenly did he walk to the bank of the river . There he knelt and splashed cold water on his face. His rinsed his mouth and spat into the clean water. He felt sick, sick to his very soul.
The sun rose in majestic splendour but its rays did not give any warmth. The light stole over his shoulders and revealed his reflection in the water. He stared at his haggard image with blood shot eyes and wondered what sort of man he was.
A shadow suddenly loomed over him blocking the sunlight on his reflection. Aragorn looked up to see the red haired Talen standing over him.
"Show me the coin," he demanded.
Aragorn slowly stood and reached to the back of his belt. He untied the heavy pouch that hung there and undid the mouth. He spilled five coins into his open hand.
Talen's eyes grew round at the sight of the gold.
"I see ye's not a liar," he said in the reverent tone. "I'd wondered where ye'd gone off to this morning."
Aragorn threw him one piece. Talen caught it deftly. He smelled it, tasted it then bit down hard on the edge.
"Aye ranger, all five and ye can have the elf."
…….
The elf's was huddled on the ground keening softly to himself and his eyes were red rimmed from crying. His long hair was loose and tangled and the clothes he wore were rumpled and stained.
Whistling Talen caught up a length of worn rope from the wagon and tied the elf's hands together at the wrist. With a yank he jerked him to his feet.
White with anger Aragorn sat astride his horse watching impotently as Talen dragged the elf over to where he waited. With hardly any effort at all Talen hoisted the elf onto the horse behind the ranger. He put the excess rope atop Aragorn's hands that were gripping the reins so tightly that they were shaking.
"I,d hold onto that I were ye, ee's liable to fall off if yer don't."
Tight lipped Aragorn wrapped the rope around one hand.
"The coin," Talen reminded him.
Aragorn stiffly dropped the money into his large hands. Talen laughed at Aragorn's fury.
"Don't worry yerself ranger. He heals faster than ye can blink. He'll be as good as new in days. As tight as a new stretched drum."
Aragorn shook with the desire to plunge his dagger into the man's throat. Instead he growled, "My sword."
Never one to be foolish Talen stepped back out of the ranger's reach and pulled the sword from the folds of his coat. He gave it to Finlorn who stood quietly by.
The old man held out the sword to the ranger. As Aragorn reached for it, Finlorn slipped a small object into his hand and then he stepped back. His eyes were full of remorse.
"Be off with ye now ranger, afore I change my mind." Talen said grinning impudently.
With a look that promised retribution Aragorn rode away with the elf.
The derisive laughter of the red haired demon rang in his ear all the way to the slopes of the hill.
…………………………………………………….
Ciryaquen, thanks very much. I hope you liked this one.
Deana, well I guess you saw the reason.
Silvertoekee, metal shoe for your pleasure.
Lindahoyland, M is just in case some scenes are too adult for FF's liking.
Ainu Laire, yes a type of slavery.
Llaaris, thank you.
Wolencza2004, was this soon enough?
Cate O, my pleasure.
Ali64, I hope Aragorn can handle it!
Shanna, Finlorn es buen hombre, es que teme a su hijo muchisimo.
Viggomaniac, I tried to hint that Aragorn did not know he was an elf until later, so that his guess about his age was based on his 'human appearance'. Thank you so much for your observations, so now you've made me paranoid! But M is for a few scenes maybe just one more that is a bit risqué. Thanks for reading.
Grumpy O, Your review made me quite speechless. Thank you.