hello my loves! I am very sorry about the delay in posting and must also admit that this is kind of a filler chapter. Yet never fear! It will set up a really good consecutive chapter after the next Sauron/Haldamire chapter. School has finally ended and no one else in my family has died so things should get back to a more regular update schedule. I have found much grief solace in working with rescued horses so they may be adopted to loving families. I will try, not promise, but try to get another chapter up by Sunday or Monday. I am very sorry for the super long wait y'all.

I kicked the wall hard enough to send pain shooting up my leg. I have no idea how long I have been stuck here in Gothmog's freaking cave room. The teacher dropped me off some time ago and I thought about my conversation with Maedhros and what Langon told me. Then I slept. Woke up. Thought some more. Slept. And now here I am getting hungry and still bored.

I threw myself back on top of bed feeling the pain fade first into a dull ache and then into nothing. He must not really understand that I need food regularly. Makes me believe Tar-Mairon took care of everything when Haldamire and I were together in that room. I let out a dramatic sigh despite no one being to able to hear it. I would be in such trouble if I left, but also maybe I would get food and it would be worth it. My feet were healed by now, but I could feel the pain like it was brand new whenever I thought about it. That is not worth food right now. I am not hungry enough now to risk this trouble.

The sound of a throat clearing had me sitting up looking around startled. I had not even heard anyone enter much less approach. It was the teacher and she was giving me a concerned look. The same look she had in her eyes the entire way back from Maedhros' cell in the dungeon. My eyes zeroed in on the food she was carrying. Finally! I wonder if the teacher eats the same food that Haldamire and I eat. Actually, I wonder if Haldamire and I still eat the same food with the same frequency?

I practically snatched the bread off the tray she had and inhaled it. She gave me a slightly amused look but did not say anything. Of course, she apparently was not allowed to speak to me. I wonder if I could change his mind about that. I really need to be able to speak to other people. She proffered the rest of the food and I took it from her. I ate quickly and the food was fortunately very filling. Food tastes better when you are hungry.

She beckoned when I was finished, and I followed her out of the cave. I could feel cold dread trickling through me at the first steps out. Please not another situation like last time. I could still feel the sensation of his tongue in my mouth. The teacher could obviously sense my trepidation because she glanced back and offered a quick shake of the head. I sighed both in relief and frustration. I did not want to see him there and I am not sure I wanted to see him at all. However, on the other hand, I also needed him to let me out of this cave and give me something to do. I have never done well with monotonous living. I cannot sit around all day for extended periods of time.

I cocked my head in recognition. She was taking me to bathe. I have not done much, but it will good to wash off the feel of his hands on me. I cannot wash away the memories and ghost touches, but at least it will make me feel better.

Somehow the bathing room felt less warm then Gothmog's cave, but it was still an extremely comfortable warmth. Except for that time, I stuck my hand in when we first got here and was burned.

I gave the teacher an awkward smile and she gave me an unsure smile back before leaving. I let out a deep breath. A change of scenery and something to do. And by something to do I mean relaxing in hot water. Without Haldamire here with me, I can take a real bath instead of just using the water.

I glanced around the room quickly to make there was nothing in the shadows. This place we somehow got to has aroused my inner paranoia. Langon also contributes to said paranoia the way he melts into nothing whenever you blink. He is unnatural. I can't really be sure there was no spirit or other malevolent entity here, but even if there was, I'm also sure Gothmog would bully them away.

With another cursory glance around the room, I let my robes slide off me and slipped into the warm water. I took my time with everything and just let the warm water envelope me completely. It feels so warm and comfortable. I could see steam rise off it when I had approached and expected similarly hot water like before, yet it was perfect. I sank back into the water blinking as a surprising wave of exhaustion hit me. I allowed myself to be carried away by sleep with warm silky water encasing me.