The Road to Middle-Earth
A fanfiction by MushrooomsPTook
Disclaimer: I own nothing. You might as well say it owns me!
*Warning – I have changed the rating of this story primarily for this chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Courage
"It's so delightful to see your pretty face again," said the Sheriff. "I'm sure you understand that I have to make sure you're unarmed." He turned to the guards and snapped his fingers. "Search her." The guards immediately began padding up and down my body with their hands and I kept my eyes on the Sheriff, who smirked. I felt someone lift my skirts slightly and grope my leg. He stood up and presented the Sheriff with the dagger that was attached to it.
"I found this, my lord," said the guard.
"Very good. Hand it here." He took the dagger from the guard and silently stowed it away in his cloak. "And now, I see you brought that heirloom of yours with you. I would very much love to see it again." He looked down and stared at the object in my hand with greedy eyes, and slowly reached for it. But I grasped the key firmly in my hand and pulled it close to my chest.
"No," I protested. "You must uphold your promise and release the children first."
The Sheriff's mouth twitched momentarily and then a forced smile appeared on his face. "Of course." He turned to another guard and nodded to him. The guard departed from our presence and disappeared down the hallway. I went to follow, but the guard who searched me held tight to my shoulder. I heard the faint echo of a door being unlocked and then three pairs of echoing footsteps fast approaching us. Shortly after, two familiar sights appeared before me and I knelt down and opened my arms to receive the children. Tears of relief, joy, and unbelief washed over Alice's little face as she swung her arms around my neck. I steadied myself as a second body leapt onto mine and I gave Tom an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
"I knew you'd come for us," Alice whispered. I choked to hold back my emotions and slipped my arms around her tightly. We sat like that for a few moments as many tears, hugs, and kisses passed by. But after a while, I reluctantly pried the children off me and put a hand on their shoulders.
"Listen to me, both of you. You're free now, but you still need to be strong." The children nodded their heads and I looked into Tom's eyes. "Take care of her, Tom." He looked at me questioningly and Alice's lip began quivering.
"What do ya mean?" Tom asked.
I swallowed and took a breath. "I can't go with you."
"But...Alayna!" Alice began, but I took her face gently in my hands.
"Be brave for me, Alice."
"No!" she protested, but I wiped away her tears with my thumbs and kissed her forehead.
Next to me, the Sheriff swayed impatiently and sighed loudly. He reached down and picked me up by the neck. "All right, that's enough." Over the shouts of Tom and Alice, he ordered two guards to see them off the castle grounds.
"They are still not to be harmed!" I shouted, defiantly. "You must lead them safely over the boundary of the forest."
"Who are you to give orders?" the Sheriff.
"Do you want the Galdorcarr or not?" I returned shortly.
The Sheriff stared at me and something evil gleamed in his eyes. Then he turned to the guards and nodded to them. "Do as she says. See that you leave them at the edge of Sherwood forest, and unspoiled." As soon as they bowed their heads and strode away, the Sheriff turned back to me. "Now then, I believe you have something to show me." He opened a waiting hand, but I didn't bother to look.
"No, I don't."
He raised an eyebrow. "You don't? Listen, my dear, you are at quite the disadvantage. I suggest you give me what I seek. The Galdorcarr. Give it to me!" He clenched his jaw and gestured once more with his hand. I pushed it away.
"I don't have it," I said confidently.
The Sheriff chuckled. "I think you misunderstand. Fun and games are over. Let me have the Galdorcarr."
I shook my head. "I don't have it."
The Sheriff frowned angrily at me; still not satisfied with my answer, he marched over to me and folded out my hands flat, inspecting them thoroughly before moving to my body. I cringed uncomfortably when he began groping my sides, turning me around, and shaking my clothes. I didn't protest, however, for I knew this was mild compared to the thrashings I would probably get when he found out I wasn't lying. Meanwhile, I silently congratulated myself for successfully depositing the key into Alice's pocket while I was hugging her. Hopefully by the time the Sheriff understood what had happened, Robin's men would have spotted her, and the children, as well as the key, would be safe.
The Sheriff roughly grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me once. "Where is it!"
I put up my hands. "I don't have it."
His eyes burned in anger. He started to say something, but paused to bite his lip and suddenly threw his hand across my face. I cringed as my head was thrown to the side, whipping my hair around me by the impact.
"Now," he gripped my arms in a bruising hold and shook me again. "Let's try this again. Where is the Galdorcarr?" I stared at him and closed my mouth tightly. I knew what was coming, but not even death would break me now. I had made my decision. "Very well." He slapped my face again, a little bit harder this time so that I stumbled back a bit. Tears of pain pricked my eyes and I closed them tightly in an effort to hide the pain. He went to grab me again, but this time I spat in his face. He let go of me long enough to wipe off the dripping saliva from his mouth, looking at it in disgust, and then turning his murderous gaze back to me. In an instant I was knocked to the ground and I realized that I had not been slapped again, but punched. The blow winded me, but I was able to get my bearings back long enough to notice the drop of blood on the floor by where my head had dropped. He got a handful of my hair in his fist and pulled me to my feet. I screamed at the pain and fought against him, but all my protests were silenced into muffles the second he forced his mouth on mine in a bruising kiss. He pulled away and licked his chapped lips.
"I'd ask you again where it is, but I already know." I forced myself to remain expressionless as the Sheriff turned to one of the nearby guards. "Get out there and find that girl!" He turned his eyes back on me. "Your cousin will suffer for your negligence." Still clutching my hair, the Sheriff grabbed a ring of keys from the other guard before ushering me out of the room and down the hallway. I knew where he was taking me and I was looking forward to being imprisoned only for the fact that I would be out of the Sheriff's hands. But as we passed by several rooms, something caught my eye. A painting hanging on the wall to the right of us forced me to stop and the Sheriff collided into me. It was a painting of a lion and it was staring into my eyes. It opened its mouth and spoke. "Courage, dear heart." But I was roughly pushed into a walk once again before I could decide whether I had imagined the whole thing.
The Sheriff opened the door and pushed me in. "By the way," he said, just before shutting the door. "You might want to practice your smile a bit. Once I find the Galdorcarr, we marry the next morning."
With a clang, the door was shut and I was left alone in the prison. The only companion was the knowledge that my cousin had been here as well, but was now free. By this time, they would have just entered the forest. I prayed that Robin would find them and shield them from the terrors of the night. I pulled my knees to my chest and decided that the painting I saw would be real. It was my only hope and comfort as I spoke Aslan's name into the darkness.
A/N – Another short chapter, I know... Sorry! Next one will be longer and have more in it. We're coming to the end, though (sort of)! ::Sniff::
xXChaoticOrderXx – No, don't die! Otherwise, you'll miss Middle... I mean, you'll miss the middle of something...?
Calemireth – Oh, did I say that? What I meant was (clears throat nervously) I don't remember a story in which you weren't suppose to like the bad guy. (looks left then right) Yeah, go Sauron, woo! (runs and hides)
seafarer – The risk would be too great with all the guards. But don't worry ;) The Galdorcarr's purpose will be revealed very shortly.
Daddys number 1 girl – Thank you and you're welcome. :)