Shocked looks were onthree faces. Rory became aware that Elrond's grip on her hands was almost painfully tight.
'What happened to your stepfather, what punishment was his?' Elrond asked when he could speak again.
'Nothing', was Rory's reply.
'What!' exploded Aragorn in the background, 'He was allowed to get away with doing that to you!'
'No, it wasn't like that' said Rory, shaking her head, her eyes half closed. 'I bolted for the Aborginal Mission Station on the borders of our property. I stayed with them for a week, and then I went home when I sure Mum was home. Not that she helped, because of course she didn't believe me.'
'Aboriginals?' asked Gandalf, as always he had to know about people he had not heard of before.
'The ahh local natives, they are black skinned, and some say their culture is very primitive, but really they are close to nature and very skilled in healing and natural medicine, and some of their magic is very effective. Anyway, the medicine man and his wife helped me a lot.' answered Rory.
'Please go on with your tale', said Elrond when Rory was clearly reluctant to continue. 'For that is not the only time your stepfather hurt you, is it?'
'No, it went on forthree years, sometimes he just beat me. Often I ran to my Aboriginal friends after such incidents', she said.
'What happened then?' asked Elrond.
'Oh I got strong enough to hand him a beating,' Rory said, grinning with memory.
This brought small smiles to faces of thethree in the room. 'Is your stepfather still alive?' Gandalf asked, feeling the answer would be no.
'Nope he's not. He died six years after I convinced him to leave me alone. He tried to ride my mare Jilba, the one in my tattoo. Jilly had always hated him, and she threw him and attacked him, I don't really know what happened, but he must have mean to her for her to attack him.' Rory was silent for a few seconds, her face thoughtful, 'Of course, the old medicine man did tell me years ago, that he 'sang' my stepfather, so maybe that's what did it.'
'Sang?' questioned Elrond.
'Yes, pointed the bone'. 'Cursed', she finished her explanation.
'Do you believe that? It sounds far fetched to me' Aragorn spoke.
'Sure do, the Aborigines are very patient people, it would like that old chap to sing my stepfather, and then fate take its part. He wouldn't be thinking of an immediate action to his curse, but rather let the gods deal with it in their own time and way', she answered.
'What did you do after your stepfather ceased to attack you? Did you stay at home? Asked Elrond.
'Yes, I did. I worked on the station until his death. Mum and David then told lies at the inquest into his death, and said I had trained the horse to kill. I got convicted of murdering him at trial, and given the choice of Army or jail, from there I think you know of my life', she said.
'What happened to the horse?' asked Gandalf who loved all animals.
'She was sentenced to be shot, but the Aboriginals and some of the Stockmen got her away, and replaced her with an old horse that was identical to those who didn't know my mare well', Said Rory.
'A remarkable tale', said the old Wizard, shaking his head. 'It is a wonder you survived your childhood'.
Rory shrugged. 'So now you know what happened, can I be let alone awhile?' she asked.
'Yes, of course,' said Elrond, 'we have a council to attend and you need to rest. I will see you this afternoon, please stay here, and if need anything someone will attend you'.
'Thanks', she said as the Ranger, the Elf, and the Wizard left the room.