Hi everyone! I am so sorry this is way, way later then I promised. It has been very crazy lately and very sad. My poor baby Charlie has gone lame in his back foot and one of the other horses at the barn almost went into congestive heart failure the night before last and the vet was at the barn all night. He's alive, but not feeling well. I will try to post more frequently as things settle down. Please Enjoy.
I glared down at the floor trying to suppress the hurt emanating from my chest. Our teacher had come in, but when I tried to speak to her she just frantically hushed me. Every time I tried to speak she still cut me off. Just because I was forced to be here didn't mean I was a different person.
I tried to catch her eye, but she pushed my head back forward and tugged slightly on the braid she was making. Unfortunately my hair is a lot longer than it was when we first arrived. I wish I could cut it a bit shorter, but I don't think I will be allowed to.
"you..u" I began, but she shushed me, yet again. I scowled trying to cover the bewilderment and hurt that I was feeling. I felt her drop the braid against my back and then looked up as she moved in front of me. She held a finger to her lips looking panicked and then gestured me to get up. I followed her near the bed where she had set down fabrics on the floor. She picked up a honey colored robe and held next to me for a moment before shaking her head and trying again. She finally settled on a dark red one, but without any designs. She wrapped it around me very efficiently tying it off in a loose fashion.
She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and nodded towards the door. I narrowed my eyes at her and she just shook her head looking frazzled. I stormed towards the door before realizing I had no idea where to go to and waited for her to catch up feeling awkward. I trailed her still scowling. She gave me a sympathetic look and put her finger over her lips shaking her head. Did Gothmog bully her into being quiet with me? I hate him so much.
I crashed into her back as we exited the cavern. I muttered an "ow" and looked up to see the teacher shaking.
"I want to speak with Airawende. You may return in a moment" I looked past her and felt surprise stiffen my body catching Langon's unnatural pitch black eyes.
"N..no. You cannot. He will kill all of us. He is waiting" The teacher whimpered looking terrified and confused.
"You needn't worry about that, slave, he has no sense of mortal time. Now get out of here and if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll have your intestines pulled out one by one." He said cheerfully. The teacher bolted back in the cavern sparing me a pitying glance.
"What are you doing here?" I asked morbidly curious at his presence. He must be pretty brave to risk Gothmog's wrath.
"Is that any way to speak to your superior? So disrespectfully?" He smiled showing sharp teeth, but with his eyes just pitch black it was hard to read anything from him.
"You can't do anything to me. You're not even supposed to be here" I didn't know where I got the bravery to say that, but I wish I didn't say it in such a frightened and unsure tone.
"Can't do anything to you now, of course, but we Maiar have such long memories. Especially of insults and denials" he said reaching out and running a long pale finger down my cheek. I couldn't help the shudder that passed through me and shied away. Why do I always say the wrong things? Should I apologize? I felt torn and just looked at him helplessly feeling lost.
"I came here to give you a message from Mairon." He said idly by way of explanation. I waited, but he didn't say anything more. I felt my eyebrows pinch together in confusion.
"What message?" I asked finally, curiosity becoming too much and feeling nervous about how long we were taking. What if the teacher was right and Langon was wrong about Gothmog's sense of time? Would he kill me too? Just for talking to Langon. In a stupid conversation I didn't even initiate. This place was so unfair.
"That's not how you should be asking me. Or even speaking" Langon said giving another sharp smile. "you might be a little pet of Gothmog's, but you are not of the Maiar. You are beneath us. As a friendly warning, not all maiar are as kind and accommodating as I."
"I'm sorry". I muttered giving him a sulky glare. He still couldn't do anything to me now, but I sure didn't want him to hold a grudge.
"Kneel at my feet and I'll give you the message" he laughed. I felt a flash of anger rise up through me. Is this a game to him? I refused to look at him as I kneeled down so he didn't see the irritation. "How Tar-Mairon taught you, little one" He added when I stayed just on my knees. I tried to smooth out my features so he couldn't see how much I hated this. I kneeled over with my forehead almost touching the floor and my palms, flat, resting in front of head.
I jerked slightly in surprise feeling his hand pat my hair and realized he was crouching down next to me. "Endure and learn" He whispered placing his hand on the back of my head and pushing it down on the floor. After a few seconds he released me and I rose shakily thinking about what he said. That was it? All that for two words. I looked around and realized Langon had managed to vanish again. How did he do that? I could feel my body deflating. Why did I say I would be bored? I don't want to see Gothmog or interact with him anymore then I have to. Maybe I could convince the teacher I was sick. I looked towards the door. I could escape. She wouldn't come for me because of Langon and he said Gothmog had a bad sense of time. Or maybe I could try and find Haldamire. I could feel pain emanating across my entire body and dismissed the thoughts. Maybe when I am more healed. I guess there was no option but to get her and go.