Blood Thorns

Disclaimer: I own the giant, overweight mini-Koi, a possible spy, a pair of old gym socks and JRR owns the good stuff!!

A/N:
“This is regular speech”
**This in mind speech**
‘’This is visions ‘’
“”This is thoughts “”
This is Kestrel’s written speech.

A/N 2: Sorry it has taken so long to get this out!!

To my Lovely Readers and Reviewers: THANK YOU!!

Mistakes and Mishaps


Erestor sat up well into the night pouring over the drawings that Glorfindel had made of Kestrel’s body markings. More then a few dusty tomes lay scattered on his desk, yet the advisor had not come to any firm conclusions about the nature of all the markings. He had actually found some reference to the one marking around her navel and another he had known as soon as he had looked over the drawing. The prisoner was much more then they had bargained for and he worried about how much information he needed to impart to Elrond. With a sigh, Erestor pushed back his chair and padded softly to the table that held a supply of wines and cordials. Pouring himself a large glass of deep burgundy wine, the advisor drifted out onto the balcony that overlooked a spectacular waterfall; though at this late hour it was but a dim pale shimmer in the distance. Staring sightlessly out into the night, the advisor let his thoughts tumble haphazardly, as he contemplated his next move. Most of what he knew could be imparted, but some he knew should not be brought forth into the light. The oath bonds of servitude and friendship warred with the oath of secrecy; this did not sit well with the advisor and it showed in his solemn demeanor. Time would tell, if his decisions to withhold some of the information would be the correct one or if it would be a misbegotten folly.

‘’Screams echoed around the chamber as the knife slid home again. A grim, yet sweet smile was the only visible testimony of a job well done. Questions had been asked over and over, but the man had refused to cooperate; so drastic measures were taken. The loud pitiful screams were nothing new to the questioner, nor was the blood that dripped unheeded to the dark pit’s floor. A few buckets of water and the blood would be gone and all would be right again. The information being ripped from the man was vitally important. The many slices and burns that covered the man’s torso had been needed to persuade his tongue to loosen, but the information that was revealed was well worth the lengthy interrogation. After too many blood filled hours, the man had finally given up the location of what was so very desperately sought and the tired interrogator’s duty was at an end. Cool clean water drenched the naked form of the interrogator, systematically washing away the gore that four intense hours of questioning had made. Hunger made itself known as the last of the blood flowed down the drain in the pit’s center. Throwing on clothes, the slight figure of the interrogator moved with an effortless grace towards the exit. Turning just once to survey the room, the interrogator was satisfied that appearances were as they should be and left the room with a smile, intent on a hunt for sustenance. ‘’

Kestrel sighed for the hundredth time that day. She was so weary of the dim light and tight quarters, that she was sure that it would not take much longer before she became stark raving mad. Erestor had given her a bright thought to look forward to, but it still seemed a distant dream at the moment. After the evening meal, she was to be allowed into a secured garden for an hour. If she behaved herself tonight, then Lord Elrond would allow her out in the garden again; although still under heavy guard. The thought of seeing the sky, the stars and trees while breathing in fresh air made her head spin with delight. She could care less if the whole Imladris guard was placed in the garden, as long as she could see for herself that the garden was real and not a hopeful imagining of her scrambled mind.

Mulling over the pleasant prospect of her outdoor foray, Kestrel was less then focused on her surroundings and nearly missed the squeaking that spoke of company. Turning to the door with a slight smile, the elleth was confused by the look in her visitor’s eyes. Erestor slowly closed the door behind him without taking his intense stare off Kestrel. Moving further into the room, the advisor spoke not a single word to the prisoner until he reached the hearth, where a fire blazed merrily. He let out a ragged sigh before addressing Kestrel. “Youngling, I know what you are now, so there is no longer a need to hide yourself from me. Your markings show your true nature. This sad act you have perpetrated to hide your secrets will now cease immediately. You will submit to my inquiry without hesitation or I will have the guards outside assist me. Trust my word that should the guards become necessary, you will rue your behavior and find yourself in great pain. Submit freely to the test and the pain will be minimal at best. Now come here to me and remove your upper garments please.”

Kestrel’s mind raced at an alarming speed as she watched the advisor’s distinctly unhappy demeanor. After all this time she had hoped that they would delve no deeper into her past; until she herself was sure of where she came from and what her life had been. Now it seemed that Erestor knew about her secret and was bent on proving who she was aligned with in this fight of good and evil. Knowing she had no hope of keeping her secrets safe any longer, Kestrel decided the fewer elves that knew about her the better. Walking defiantly over to stand by the hearth, the prisoner swiftly untied her upper garments and dropped them beside her. Chin held high, she glared into Erestor’s eyes before dropping gracefully to her knees in front of the advisor. Kestrel awaited the dark haired elf’s next move with no emotion showing on her features and a stillness of form that belayed her ragged emotions.

Glorfindel smiled as the gates of Imladris came into sight. He, as well as the rest of the patrol, was glad this particular adventure was over and looked forward to some well deserved rest. There was much more at stake now then at any other point since his rebirth. The Dark Lord had risen and the One Ring had been found. Attacks from the foul minions of the Dark Lord had placed all the cities of good in a precarious position. Only time would tell if the quest had been in vain, but Glorfindel held fast to the hope and faith locked deep in his heart; he believed that the Valar would not have sent him back, just for Middle-earth to be over run with evil.

The seneschal’s tired mind wandered again to thoughts of the prisoner and what changes he would see in her. His thoughts had been drifting more and more to her, the closer they came to the Last Homely House and this preoccupation with the prisoner annoyed Glorfindel. After he gave his report and got cleaned up, he would seek out Erestor and ask him about their prisoner; only then, would he go talk to her himself! His musing came to an end as the patrol entered the courtyard of the Last Homely House.