Taelin's Story

Author’s Notes: Finally..something good to happen! I hope this fullfills all your wishes for my poor elf to find his freedom at last. Reviews are always welcomed, in fact..they make my day! Happy Reading!

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After the death of his lady love, Taelin shrank within himself once more. The world had grown dark for the poor elf, and there was no longer any light at the end of the tunnel. He simply existed, unable to find release from the pain and torment that he lived within. No release from the grief which held him so tightly within its grip.

Years passed thus. Taelin gave up his wish to be freed, simply accepting the fate that he was doomed to. No longer did the chains bother him, they were simply a part of life. No longer did the daily visits from his captors cause fear within him, for they were expected. He retreated so far within himself, that no matter what the men did to him, there was no response. Taelin simply stood, or lay wherever they put him. No sound escaped his lips, no muscle attempted to resist, no tears fell from his eyes.

The men tried everything they could to get a reaction from the elf, for what fun was it to torture someone without the sound of their screams? No rape, nor beating, nor whipping could cause the elf to cry out. He lived, yet it seemed his mind no longer did. He was lost to the world, unable to find any joy, nor beauty in life. Even the beauteous rays of Aman shining through the little slat windows held no joy for him.

Years passed thus. Many years. His care falling to the sons of Master and his men, and their sons after them. Still Taelin did not respond. No matter the treatment he received, be it kind, or otherwise, still he did not react. The men who held him, made their money off him, as best they could. For the elf’s body would respond, even should his mind not.

At last, after nearly two hundred and fifty years of imprisonment, the elf’s care came to a young woman. A great granddaughter of the original master, though she possessed none of his cruelty. She was raised with the knowledge of the silent elf in her father’s care, though never had she been permitted to lay eyes upon him. She knew of the torment that the men in her family inflicted upon Taelin, yet she was powerless to do anything for him. That is, until the day her father died. Upon his deathbed, he granted the care of Taelin to his only child.

After arrangements for her father’s burial had been made, she went up to the guard house in which the elf was held. Upon entering, the smell nearly caused her to flee once more. The whole building smelled of the horrible torment that had gone on within those walls for so many years. It was dark, and damp, and reeked of decay.

At last, the young woman found her way to the wooden door. The heavy lock on the outside creaked with rust and age as she slid the ancient skeleton key into the hole and turned it. Swinging the lock free, she steadied herself. All her life she had been fascinated with the stories of the strange elf that her great grandfather had captured. Of his apparent beauty, of the strength of will that he once possessed. Always she would ask her father and his brothers to tell her more about their nameless elf. And now, the time had finally come for her to face the object of her fascination. Slowly shened ned the door, bringing a lantern to light the small room.

Her breath caught within her throat at the sight she beheld, for there in the corner, chained to the wall, sat the elf. He leaned casually against the wall, his head resting gently upon it, and his eyes closed. The waterfall of long matted hair, pooling on the floor behind him, and his pale skin marked with the years of abuse, yet his face still held all the beauty it once did. The gentle arch of his brows, the soft skin of his eyelids, the slight curl of his lashes upon his cheeks, the smooth hairless skin of his cheeks, and the slightly parted lips seeming so soft. At once, the young woman wondered what it would be to kiss the elf, to feel his arms around her, but she would not stoop to the level of her father or uncles. She would not cause the elf more pain than he had already suffered.

“Pardon the intrusion, my lord.” She said softly, surprised at the sudden opening of the crystal blue eyes. Her breath nearly catching once more at the pain and suffering they showed within their depths.

Taelin opened his eyes, focusing finally upon the young woman standing before him. His heart clenching painfully at the beauty he saw within her. The soft fall of red hair, the green eyes filling with tears, the slender build. There was no mistaking that this woman was a decendant of Daela, herself. Taelin slowly got to his feet, Standing to his full height, and near towering over the young girl. She simply smiled and set the lantern down, approaching him slowly.

‘I am pleased to finally make your aquaintance. I have heard so much about you, Master elf.” Taelin stood still, simply studying the woman before him. There was no mistake that she was also related to the man responsible for his confinement in the first place.

The young woman simply inclined her head in polite greeting and spoke softly, not daring to approach the elf any closer. you you have a name, Master elf? For I was never told such, if you have. Please relax, I will not cause you harm as those before me have. In fact, I wish to give you back your freedom. I have heard that your kind prefer the openness of the outdoors, and can suffer greatly should that be taken from them. I apologize for the unkindness that my family has treated you with in the past, and I hope I may ease some of your pain.”

Once more, Taelin studied the woman. She seemed sincere, and had she wished him harm, she could easily have done so by now. Long moments they stood, simply regarding each other, before the silence was finally broken.

“I am Taelin.” The elf said, his voice husky from disuse.

The young woman smiled warmly and curtsied politely. “Pleased to meet you, my lord Taelin. I am called Laurilyn.”

Taelin stiffened slightly at the politeness Laurilyn was treating him with. After nearly two hundred and fifty years of abuse and torture, he was not used to being treated with respect, and it caused him to be on guard.

Laurilyn noticed the stiffening, and sighed softly to herself. This beautiful creature had been so abused that even the simplest kindnesses caused him unease. Reaching slowly into her pocket, the young woman retrieved the ring of keys her father had given her. Holding the ring out, she approached the elf slowly, afraid to cause him fright, and not knowing what he would do should she cause him such.

“I wish to free you of those confining chains, my lord Taelin. Will you permit me?” She asked kindly, coming to stop by his side, and ignoring the stiffening of the slender frame before her.

“Y-you wish to free me, my lady?” Taelin asked incredulously. At last his wishes seemed to be coming true, yet always deep within him, he waited for the catch, the one flaw in what felt like a utopian situation.

Laurilyn smiled warmly and nodded, slowly crouching at the elf’s side and sliding the key into the lock on his right ankle, freeing him of the first sign of his imprisonment. “Aye, my lord. I would free you. I can never make up for the pain nor torment that my family has caused you. The only thing I can do is to promise that you shall suffer no more from us.”

With slow easy movements, Laurilyn proceeded to release Taelin from all his chains, repressing the sob at the sight of the deep, angry scars left behind. Once freed, Taelin stood rigidly in place, absentmindedly rubbing his now freed wrists.

He was shocked at this turn of events, never having dreamed he would be freed one day. His mind began spinning on all the possible outcomes from this point on. Perhaps Laurilyn only meant to release the chains, yet his imprisonment would continue. Perhaps she wished him to return to her home with her and work as her slave. Perhaps she would simply sell him to the highest bidder, and he would be placed in chains once more.

Laurilyn could see the inner turmoil going on within the beautiful elf. It pained her to see the uncertainty that her family’s torment had left behind. She wished she could go back in time and erase everything from the elf’s past, to give him the life he should have, and would have, had if her family had no interfered.

“I brought you some clothes, my lord. Though I had not realized how very tall you were, so I’m afraid they will not fit properly, however it would be better than walking through the streets in your current state.” Laurilyn smiled warmly, and retrieved the small bundle of clothing she had brought with her, passing it to Taelin.

“Thank you, my lady. This is most kind of you.”

The young woman smiled before leaving the room to allow the elf to dress. She could not help but smile to herself. The elf’s voice was beautiful. Soft and mellow, and though he spoke in common, he still held the accent to tell it was not his native tongue. She wondered what it would sound like to hear his native elvish, for she had heard it was a beautiful language to listen to.

After a moment, Taelin stepped from the room dressed in the leggings and tunic Laurilyn had brought for him. They truly did not fit well, for the elf was far taller and slimmer than her father had been. The legs and arms of the garments ending far shorter than they should. The elf also looked rather uncomfortable within them, for he had grown used to his forced state of undress.

“Come, my lord. I am sure you are hungry, and I think we could both do with some fresh air after being here. If you would like, I will take you to my home. But please do not feel you must come, for you are free now. No one will force you to do anything you do not wish.” Laurilyn smiled, hoping to help set the elf more at ease.

Taelin blushed slightly, keeping his head bowed in respect. After days of not being fed, he was starving, but he could not ask for his needs to be met. It was hard to even accept the kind offer of Laurilyn.

“I thank you, my lady. That is most kind of you. I would…appreciate a small meal, if it is not too much to ask.” He bit his lip uncertainly, as they headed for the door.

The bright light of Aman stung in Taelin’s eyes as he stepped from the guardhouse. At last, a free being. A soft breeze caughthis long hair, swirling around him before carrying on. The birds sang softly from their rooftop perches, and tears came to the elf’s eyes.

“Aii, I forgot how turly beautiful it is!” Taelin’s voice was quiet and filled with awe. He closed his eyes slowly, simply drinking in the feeling of freedom to it’s full extent.

Laurilyn smiled and gently linked her arm through Taelin’s. The elf flinched involuntarily, but did not pull away. Too lost was he, in the sights and sounds of his new found freedom.

The young woman led him to the small cottage on the edge of town. Nestled into the edge of the woods, and away from most of the bustle and crowds that could form in the more public areas of the village. It was small, and made of stone, with a weathered thatchwork roof, and a small chimney puffing smoke invitingly. As they approached, Taelin’s breath caught painfully.

“Can you hear it, my lady? The whisper of the trees?”

Laurilyn smiled sadly, the sound of awe in Taelin’s voice nearly bringing her to tears as she shook her head.

“No, my lord. I’m afraid I cannot hear it, though I am sure it is beautiful. Would you tell me what they say?”

“They speak of age, my lady. The many passing years. You must walk among them quite often, for they speak also of your kindness.” Taelin smiled for the first time, causing Laurilyn to feel her knees go weak.

How could her family have inflicted such pain and suffering on such a beautiful creature. So far she had seen nothing but a timid polite elf, who seemed as though he would never harm anyone. What right had her fore fathers had to keep this being a captive for so long? That question would most likely never be answered, for truly there was none.

“Come, my lord. You are hungry, and so I would feed you whilst my sister runs to town to find you some more suitable garments.” She led him to the house, where he paused at the door.

“My apologies, my lady. It is just, I have been within that room for so long, I wish only to have the sky over my head.” Taelin stiffened, and bowed his head in submission. “Forgive me. I should not ask such things. You have shown me nothing but kindness, but I will await punishment for my forwardness.”

Laurilyn sighed softly, unlinking her arm from his. The long years of torment had obviously taken their toll upon the poor elf, and it made her heart sad to see it. Thinking quickly, she attempted to reassure Taelin.

“No, my lord. No one will punish you. I am glad you spoke of your wishes, and of course there is no need to enter my home until you are ready. Please, there is a small table in the back, you could sit to wait there, whilst I gather your meal. But only if you wish. As I said, you are free now. The decision is yours.”

“I thank you, lady Laurilyn. You are most kind.” Taelin bowed awkwardly, for he was sore and stiff from his years of confinement.

Laurilyn led him to the table she had suggested, before entering her home. She fixed a large meal as quickly as she could, and sent her sister to town for the clothing and other needs that their elven companion would need. Taelin sat, simply watching the clouds. His heart becoming lighter from the warmth of Aman upon his skin at last.

Once the meal was placed before him, Taelin ate vigerously. He was starving, and it felt good to be fed more than stale or mouldy bread. The wine he was given tasted sweet beyond words. He paused for a moment to enjoy the feeling of it sliding down his throat.

“Where will you go, my lord?” Laurilyn asked, at last breaking the silence.

“I know not. I do not have family left, so truly there is no place for me.” Taelin’s deep blue eyes fell as they began to fill with tears. For many, many years he had not thought of the family he had lost. His parents, followed shortly by all of his children. It pained him greatly to think he was alone on Arda, but that was simply something he would have to live with.

“You are most welcome to stay here, until you have an idea of where you will go.” Laurilyn attempted to keep the pleading from her voice, for truly she wished Taelin would never leave. Taelin simply inclined his head in acceptance and allowed the young woman to lead him into the house.

To sleep, at last, in a bed, was a great luxury. Taelin sank down upon the mattress and sighed. The day had been full of surprises, and still he was unable to grasp the idea that he was free at last. Curling into his customary ball, Taelin finally fell into an exhausted sleep.

~*~

Late that night, Laurilyn was awakened by a scream. Leaping from her bed and pulling on a robe, she knew exactly which room to check. Opening the door slowly, she caught sight of the shivering elf in the moonlight. He was huddled in the corner, and from the state of the bedclothes, he had wakened from a dreadful dream.

“My lord Taelin. You are safe here, and no one will harm you. I know you cannot accept that as yet, but it is truth.” Laurilyn reassured, quietly.

Taelin remained in the corner, his knees pulled up tightly against his chest, and his arms wrapped around his knees. His head was bowed, and the tears that fell from his cheeks landed softly upon his up-pulled knees. A fine trembling shiver ran through his entire body repeatedly, and his breath came in tiny gasps. The images of his torment would forever haunt the poor elf, and perhaps never would hefreefreed of them.

Looking up, at last, with tear-reddened blue eyes, he finally spoke.

“I must leave this place. Tonight.”